25 July, 2015

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Distant bells on the Feast of Saint James.

I wrote these thoughts last year, but for me they are timeless. ...

Soon it will be July 25, the Feast of St James. Multitudes will convene and celebrate this historic Catholic event in Santiago de Compostela.

Government officials, church dignitaries, ordinary citizens, and, of course, thousands of actual pilgrims will be present. They will assemble to actively participate in age-old ecclesiastic pageantry and tradition. Imagine if they could be magically joined by all past pilgrims. Such a super-giant throng of celebrants would stretch back one thousand years!

Whatever our ethnicity or beliefs, all pilgrims who have walked the Camino share common bonds. All surely remember their personal thrill on arriving at last at the great cathedral, touching the hallowed stones, weeping with joy, and giving thanks as the great bells tolled.

At home in France I shall, as always, also remember and listen for those far-distant, celebratory bells.

Ultreia!

Margaret Meredith