Beloved Family:
I can tell you where I started, but I do not know where to begin. Let me unpack that statement.
I can tell you where I started my journey, as I departed home on September 7 and traveled to Spain and Portugal, walking a section of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela and then visiting Fatima.
That said, I do not really know where to begin to share with you the impact of that experience on me. While it certainly had an effect on my body, far more significant is the footprint on my soul.
For now, allow me to share with you a pilgrim prayer known as “The Prayer of La Faba.” Our group read it at the church in O Cebreiro, the site of a Eucharistic miracle that took place in the 14th century. I believe it says much about the authenticity, not only of any claims I would make regarding the power of this recent pilgrimage, but perhaps, too, of any claim made regarding the power of the Gospel and the elements of faith which we may make along the way. Here is the text:
Although I may have travelled all the roads,
crossed mountains and valleys from East to West, if I have not discovered the freedom to be myself, I have arrived nowhere.
Although I may have shared all of my possessions with people of other languages and cultures; made friends with Pilgrims of a thousand paths, or shared albergue with saints and princes, if I am not capable of forgiving my neighbour tomorrow,
I have arrived nowhere.
Although I may have carried my pack from beginning to end and waited for every Pilgrim in need of encouragement, or given my bed to one who arrived later than I, given my bottle of water in exchange for nothing; if upon returning to my home and work, I am not able to create brotherhood or to make happiness, peace and unity, I have arrived nowhere.
Although I may have had food and water each day, and enjoyed a roof and shower every night; or may have had my injuries well attended, if I have not discovered in all that the love of God, I have arrived nowhere.
Although I may have seen all the monuments and contemplated the best sunsets; although I may have learned a greeting in every language; or tried the clean water from every fountain; if I have not discovered who is the author of so much free beauty and so much peace, I have arrived nowhere.
If from today I do not continue walking on your path, searching for and living according to what I have learned; if from today I do not see in every person, friend or foe a companion on the Camino; if from today I cannot recognize God, the God of Jesus of Nazareth as the one God of my life, I have arrived nowhere.
Let His Peace be with you,
Fr. Stephen
