Thursday 26 September 2013

Day 26, Thursday 26th September. Lleida - Castellnou de Seana (33km)

Today we enter the "fourth week" of the Spiritual Exercises. It is Resurrection day: this is the day the Lord has made, lets us be glad and rejoice!

We ask for the grace to enter fully into the joy of the risen and victorious Christ; to be able to grasp the fullness of life that Jesus has achieved for us.

In our first two hours of contemplative walking we ponder the mysteries of the Resurrection, appropriating its transformative power in our own lives, and witnessing through our own joy and hope to others who struggle with darkness and death.


Prayer and song outside our temporary home, the railway station!


The rising sun beckons us on our pilgrimage as a symbol of the One we seek, of the light dispelling the darkness of the night!


 

We walk in the rays of the sun!

Leaving behind the old life, seeking the new!

Sheep of the flock, seeking the Risen One, the Good Shepherd.

 

The orange 'Ignatian' arrow points the way: Vin needs a rest, as we all do. The Lord is our rock, and our resting place.

It is our hottest day yet, into the 30s, with little shade along the path.

The bitumen reflects the eat into our faces!

We seize whatever shade we can for a rest from the heat.

This flock of cranes delights us along the way.

Butternut pumpkins make their first appearance.

Pig farms continue to abound, with the odd causality evident!

Finally, after a hot, exhausting day of 33 kms, our destination looms: the village plaza with the ever priminent church tower, where we meet the bus.

Shade and a seat for the weary three amigos!

 

Well earned refreshment for the lads!

And Danni and Peter too!

The food and hospitality offered us pilgrims has been overwhelming: local, traditional dishes proudly offered to wearied but satisfied bodies.

 

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