Camino Frances

Written March 26th, Fifth Sunday Lent. Lazarus- Come out!
Scheduled to post April 20th 2023.

Upon this posting I should be in Paris.
I won’t arrive to the trail head until Friday morning, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.
Morning Mass of the Pilgrim with blessing and a stamp of my credencial at the peregrino office.

Interesting Franciscan perspective with insight to my common purpose with others on camino: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/st-anthony-messenger/december-2021-january-2022/why-we-go-on-pilgrimages/

Quote: The hardest day of the Camino is on the first day of the French Way, where you have to cross the great mountain range of the Pyrenees over the Napoleon Pass [gp note: I will follow the slightly milder path through the mountains-I’m not crazy]. You must hike 26km to get to the first stop, but you are awarded with a stay in the stunning monastery town of Roncesvalles and two days later Pamplona (https://www.hyperlitemountaingear.com/pages/the-blog).

One of the St Mark’s friars is becoming my de facto spiritual guide for the camino preparation. Instead of my norm of planning and pre-asserting themes and purpose and blogging, I will report once per day and briefly. The photo work will continue as this is known to be most helpful to people. Ideally the photos will tell my spiritual journey.

I will be off grid often so I do not expect postings to be scheduled per my norm. The blog will be tagged with Pilgrimage and (also) FenchWay to differentiate from other pilgrimages taken.

Old Men Shall Dream Dreams

‘It will come to pass in the last days,’ God says, ‘that I will pour out a portion of my spirit upon all flesh. Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams (Acts 2:17).

https://deacongerrypalermo.blog/2019/12/04/dare-to-dream-holy-dreams/

I love sacred Scripture. Here is from the first day of the trail (Friday of the Second Week of Easter).

First Reading
So now I tell you, have nothing to do with these men, and let them go. For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself. But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God.” (Acts 5:38-39).

So allow me the journey. Come along vicariously. You are most welcome.
Text encouragement.

Gospel Portion
When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, “Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.” (Jn 6:12).

Some well-meaning people had postulated various reasons for this and other journeys I’ve taken. Sadly, these are mostly projections always containing fractions of truth but missing the obvious.

There is but one Subject. His name is Jesus.

Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.” (Jn 6:67-69).

My return to the mission field has been interrupted by COVID and then national crisis in Haiti, Mexico.
I trust the Divine Will these personal journeys are of a higher order of importance then. By deduction.

I will not have keyboard access except the phone.

I desire not to tire you.

and a young man named Eutychus who was sitting on the window sill was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. Once overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and when he was picked up, he was dead. (Acts 20:9). I’m pretty sure I do not have the charism of Paul to return you to health. 🙂

In Christ I love you.
In Christ I embrace you.
May a portion of this journey be for you, dear reader.

Send prayer requests! I stop often to pray.

For all, as we all are on Camino.

USCCB: God our Father, Be with us on our pilgrim journey of faith. Give us the grace and courage to step forward in faith and hope on the road ahead. Lord Jesus, Open our eyes to see your face in all those we encounter. Open our ears to hear your voice in those who are often ignored.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry