Day 31, Tuesday 1st October. Montserrat - Manressa (25km)

Today is our final day of pilgrimage as we continue our contemplation on the Love of God?

We reflect on the gifts we have received on this pilgrimage: gifts given us for service in the world, not for ourselves and our own benefit. However, we note that we cannot give away the graces we have received as such; however, we can give away the fruits of these graces, as Fr Michael stressed in his talk to us setting the day's theme.

It is to contemplate and pray today for insight into what it is I have received in these days, how have I been changed, and what might God be inviting me to now?

And we note too, that there is grief associated with the break-up of this pilgrim community: we began as a group of pilgrims; however, we quickly were formed into a pilgrim community, with each assisting the other, each offering their gifts at the service of the community, the community in turn being enriched with such an outpouring of giftedness.

 

Before breakfast I made another visit to the sanctuary to pray the prayers entrusted to me. I again read through and offered as prayer each of the petitions. I then lit two yellow candles seen here: one for the prayers of St Mary's parish, the other in addition for the prayers of the children at St Mary's school. The red candle to the right is for my own beloved family, especially my deceased mum and dad, to whom I owe so much, not least of all the gift of faith.

After our beginning prayer, our pilgrims made another visit to the shrine of Our Lady of Montserrat, again loving touching her statue and making our private prayer.

Another image in the sanctuary of St Ignatius whose spirit here lives on strongly.

Helen making her private prayer before the Virgin, as we all did for one last time.

The beauty in the early morning is overwhelming.

One last view of the sanctuary as we depart for Manressa, as did Ignatius.

 

On the way down the mountain nature calls, men to one site, women to another!

It's a steep descent: a tough days walking to Manressa.

The sanctuary is far behind us, now seen only in the distance.

A rest stop in a village brings out the playful spirit in Helen and Tracy.

An ancient Roman road forms part of our trek down the mountain.

Geraldine and Joe make ground in the hot afternoon sun. It's often hard to come down from the mountain!

We pray our way through timeless beauty.

Nearly there! Resting as we await the 'tail' to catch up: there was a mini-event that might have caused serious injury (thank God it didn't today or any day!) necessitating a taxi for one of our pilgrims.

Our Good Samaritans in that mini-event, Larry and Stephen, rejoin the pilgrim community for our final walk together, as we ent Manressa, the end/beginning of our pilgrimage.

The Jesuit House of Manressa , built over the cave where Ignatius prayed and wrote the Spiritual Exercises.

Along with the whole community, John and Vin are delighted to arrive healthy in mind, body and spirit.

We cross the river Cardenal which was the place of mystical experiences for Ignatius which informed his writing his classic.

The three amigos for one last time, hearts grateful for the gift of friendship and faith shared.

 

We enter the Ignatian retreat house as the destination of our pilgrimage.

Joe is ecstatic!

As am I!

An evening view from my window looking from Manressa back to Montserrat.

We were deeply moved to celebrate mass in the small chapel in the cave overlooking the Cardenal river, where Ignatius was so isspired to write the Spiritual Exercises.

 

ALL FOR THE GREATER GLORY OF GOD! A prayer of Ignatius for every day.

 

The altar and tabernacle in the cave chapel.

 

Suscipe (St. Ignatius of Loyola)

Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,

my memory, my understanding

and my entire will,

All I have and call my own.

You have given all to me.

To you, Lord, I return it.

Everything is yours; do with it what you will.

Give me only your love and your grace.

That is enough for me.

 

Anima Christi (St. Ignatius of Loyola)

Soul of Christ, sanctify me

Body of Christ, save me

Water from the side of Christ, wash me

Passion of Christ, strengthen me

Good Jesus, hear me

Within the wounds, shelter me

from turning away, keep me

From the evil one, protect me

At the hour of my death, call me

Into your presence lead me

to praise you with all your saints

Forever and ever

Amen

 

 

 

Prayer for Generosity (St. Ignatius of Loyola)

Lord, teach me to be generous.

Teach me to serve you as you deserve;

to give and not to count the cost,

to fight and not to heed the wounds,

to toil and not to seek for rest,

to labor and not to ask for reward,

save that of knowing that I do your will.

Fermin, our intrepid Spanish guide/friend, 'appeared' again for our final two days pilgrimage. Here he farewells the bus as we depart for Barcelona, then home!

 

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