How do you capture the collective array of feelings we have today? Our first view of the Santiago was from the bluffs of Monte de Gozo, but it was another three miles before we decended into the city. We walked down stone steps, through a long archway where a Gaelic bagpiper played, entered the Plaza do Obradoiro, and there stood the renown Cathedral de Santiago – in all of its glory!
It is very common to see all types of emotions on display here – it truly the culmination of an extraordinary personal accomplishment that ends in such a special place. Everyone ‘walks their Camino’ for different reasons, so their reactions to its completion vary. Perhaps our only regret today is that the interior renovations to the cathedral that began in January and have closed it for the first time in 900 years, prevented us from entering the massive front doors, marveling at the ancient statues and art in its vestibule, or witnessing the priests swing the famous botafumiera.
The traditional Pilgrim’s Mass was moved to another cathedral nearby, the Church of San Francisco. There, we worshipped alongside hundreds of other pilgrims from all over the world in an over-flow crowd that literally filled every open space. While the mass was conducted completely in Spanish, the atmosphere in the building was nonetheless special to us.
One of the unique and special rewards for completing this journey to Santiago is the receipt of a ‘Compostela’ – a certificate awarded upon presentation of credentials with validating stamps received along the route. Our Compostela in hand, the rest of our day was spent touring the city, drinking wine, and eating tapas and other local culinary delights from Galicia.
In conclusion, this was a very long and often difficult journey that required both physical and mental endurance. What made It not only bearable, but completely and incredibly satisfying were the new acquaintances and friendships made with fellow pilgrims from various countries, the continuous exposure to Spanish antiquity and local artifacts, and the often majestic scenery we experienced throughout this beautiful country. We all feel extremely blessed to have been given this opportunity.
Buen Camino
◦