A Liturgy for leaving the gracious albergue

The following was taken from the resource we have compiled for pilgrims on the Camino De Santiago. You can get a free digital copy here. Downloading and giving your feedback helps us to spread the word.

O caring Father, giver of all good gifts,
Thank you for the night you gave me.
I laid down and slept.
I awoke again, because you sustained me.

I was fed.
I was sheltered.
I was cared for.
I was given a clean bed.
I was given a kind word.
I was treated as one fashioned in your image.

I know that I do not deserve it.
I know that I cannot expect it.
Even your Son, the heir of all things, through whom you created the world. 
The radiance of your glory. 
The exact imprint of your nature. 
The one who upholds the universe by the word of his power,
He was refused entrance.
He had no place to lay his head.

But yet you, in your overwhelming grace and goodness,
Provided for me a host who saw my needs,
A sink to wash my face,
A meal to fill my stomach,
A bed to rest my body,
A rest to refresh my spirit.

O good Father, bless this place.
Pour out on my hosts your grace in excess of what they showered on me.
Give them strength to treat the next pilgrim as they treated me.
Give them eyes to see the need of the heart for those who enter tonight.
Give them hope to keep going when they are met with rudeness or hostility.
Give them love for you and others.
Give them peace.
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Luke 2

A Liturgy for the first tired steps

The following was taken from the resource we have compiled for pilgrims on the Camino De Santiago. You can get a free digital copy here. Downloading and giving your feedback helps us to spread the word.

My God. My King. My Savior.
May these labored, yet deliberate steps mirror my inward journey.
One more step toward faith.
One more step toward hope.
One more step toward love.
One more step toward you, Jesus.
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1 Corinthians 13

Walking the Ruta del Padre Sarmiento (Day 2)

We started checking off segments of a 200 km hike which traces the coastline of the region of Pontevedra. It has been a very unique experience with a variety of terrain and some beautiful views! This segment took us from Sanxenxo to the beaches of O Grove.

If you missed it, you can watch the first segment here.

You can watch the second segment here.

For some comparison

Minnesota is approximately 128,119.9 sq miles in size, while Spain is approximately 313,7925 sq miles in size. This makes Spain about 2.5 times larger than Minnesota.

In population, however, Spain is much larger. Minnesota has approximately 5.3 million people, whereas Spain has 47.2 million people.

*The snapshots and information were taken from mylifeelsewhere.com

A Liturgy for packing

The following was taken from the resource we have compiled for pilgrims on the Camino De Santiago. You can get a free digital copy here. Downloading and giving your feedback helps us to spread the word.

I have too much, Jesus.
I have too much.

You who had nothing extra.
You who gave it all away.
You must laugh at my idea of simplicity.

But you also know me. 
You know my home and bedroom,
My closets and cupboards.
You know all the possessions I cannot even remember.
You know that this pack, 
Bulging as it is,
Is a big change for me.

But I still have too much.

I carry so many things “just in case.”
I fear that I might need them tomorrow.
I wonder if I will be uncomfortable,
Cold,
Hungry,
In need.

I am not as trusting as a sparrow for my next meal.
I am not as confident as the lily for my daily clothing.
You reminded us that your Father provides for them.
And that he would provide for us.
But I still wonder.

I still fear the “what if” of today.
I worry about tomorrow.
And those thoughts are a burden.
I carry them every day.

O loving Jesus,
Give me eyes to see 
And ears to hear.
Give me faith to live today 
Unencumbered by the risks of tomorrow.

I have too much, Jesus.
I have too much.⁠
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Matthew 6:25-34

Walking the Camino: Variante Espiritual (Day 3)

We took a few days to walk a different route of the camino in order to talk to pilgrims and get a better idea of options for friends that visit.

The first day was over 13 miles of walking, you can see that if you click here.

The second day we walked even farther and ended up seeing the police chase drug smugglers…sort of. You can watch that here.

The third day we took a boat across the bay and up the river and saw schools of sting rays. You can watch that below.