If it’s the 25th, no December, it might be an apostle’s feast day. Today is a good one, my cathedral’s name saint and the patron of a very famous way, as my friend Fran blogs today here.
It’s one of those days I wish I were younger, or able to live to be 200 in vigor. I missed walking the Camino when I was younger. I was ignorant of European pilgrimages compared to the domestic ones my mother oversaw for my parish growing up. I didn’t hear of it till the 90s, by which time I was married, working, and not getting a month free from parish and spousal obligations.
Then, I was likely fit to go for days those decades ago. I still think I could tackle the paths to Santiago de Compostela, at least part of the way. Alas, world travel is for those who have a bit of wealth or youth to spare, and I have neither. But I would urge any young friend to go. I just know it would be graced and good.
Saint James, pray for all of us, especially those who need to find the way.
Thanks for linking to my post Todd. You know, I met no shortage of 80 year olds on the Camino, so you never know!
If you’re interested, here’s a third of a century picture of the pilgrimage
I suspect one of the factors in this shift may have been the downshifting of civil violence in the critical Basque provinces of Spain (and France).