Day 9, Monday 9/9: Laguardia - Navarrete - Logroño (32.4km)

8am, a cold, misty morning, and a prayer orientation before we set out.

For our 1st two hours of silent prayer as we walk, I suggested that we pray for healing of the pain and hurt that has happened as a result of sexual abuse in the Church. First the healing of the hurt of victims and their families. We pray for the grace to be able to listen to their stories and learn from what they can teach us. We pray also for the others levels of woundedness in our church, and our church communities. We pray that we as a Church might learn what needs to change in church culture so that such abuse may not happen again, nor be covered up.

 

 

Through rich vineyards in the world famous Rioja wine district we glided in the early, misty morning.

 

 

We came across a local village Stations of the Cross, which reminded us that wherever there is suffering there is the crucified Christ, especially recognized in the passion of those abused, whose pain and suffering we cannot comprehend, such that many are crucified unto death, often by suicide.

We burst upon the River Ebro, Spain's largest, which will now accompany us for hundreds of kilometres. It spawns a wide array of rich agricultural pursuits.

 

The sun is hot, sunscreen a necessity.

 

 

 

The huge Torro (Bull), presiding over the district, a national icon.

 

Los Tres Amigos

Lunch in Navarrete, by the Cathedral Plaza

We are half way for the day!

Navarrete Cathedral.

I remember at all these sacred places the prayers entrusted to me.

In Navarrete we join the Santiago Camino, with crowds of pilgrims going the opposite way - which causes them some confusion and us some mirth!

Logroño is our destination for today.

 

 

At this point in the Camino the is a tradition to make a cross in the fence from weed stalks found nearby. There are 000s of such crosses in the fence.

 

Olive trees and vineyards continue to guide our path into Logroño.

The principal grape variety here is Tempranillo.

As we enter Logroño, we come upon eucalyptus trees causing some excitement.

A beautiful entry to a beautiful city!

 

 

Eucharist at St Ignatius Parish

St Ignatius the Pilgrim.

Time for a beer before tea at 8.39pm. The whole city is on the streets enjoying the late summer's evening.so ends our first stage. A well earned rest day tomorrow after 7 straight days of walking approx. 160 kms!

 

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