Today was one of those long stages. They had warned us last night, and that’s why we went to bed early. It was 35.7 km to Altafulla.
Everything went well up to breakfast. Today Fr Bernat set the scene for the first hour, in prayerful silence: the thanksgiving that our life should be. That we should reflect on all this providence that God has for each of us, guiding us and taking care of us. Like the tribe of Jacob, who were taken in to live with the Egyptians and, thanks to that, were able to live well despite the famine; and above all thanks to the heart of Joseph, who forgives his brothers.
After the breakfast stop, where we got our strength back, there were still 20 km to go. It seemed never-ending. We walked along the seafront, and sometimes we even walked on the beach sand for long stretches. How hard it is to walk on sand! Today we realised everything that can be offered up during the day, even the steps in the sand.
It was almost all straight; the group was spreading out a bit and there were pilgrims all along the coast. At one point we regrouped, because some were lagging behind.
But, like a family, we all walked at the pace of the slowest. And to cheer them on we sang songs all the way. Together, like a family, as if we were one, we encouraged those who had less strength.
How you can feel the love on this pilgrimage: nobody goes ahead and nobody falls behind. Encouragement is passed on through songs, jokes and smiles. The truth is that everyone was amazed when they came across us.
Since we still had quite a way to go to where we were sleeping and it was late, the Lord gave us a huge treat: we passed a McDonald’s (yes, McDonald’s again, it was out of necessity) and went in for lunch. A nice Coca-Cola and a Big Mac help anyone do another 6 km.
When we arrived we were looked after by Armand, what a friendly person! He made everything very easy for us. How well we’ll sleep in this sports hall! He told us he loves these adventures and would sign up if he could. We already knew we weren’t that crazy, just a little.
Home at last! The arrival was epic. Very tired, but even so everyone is ready to help: unloading the van, filling glasses of water, offering nuts and dried fruit, popping blisters. Family is lived while walking and when arriving. Living with others in mind is how you are truly happy. This morning Moses’s letter asked us a few questions, and one was: “What is the point of your being here?”. And today you could feel a shared purpose among all the pilgrims: thinking less about myself and more about others.
As always, we went to the parish church for a time of adoration and Holy Mass. Today Fr Bernat preached to us about the gift of being on the pilgrimage, and the gift of being with those of us who are here. That we are not here because we were forced to be, but because God wanted you to be walking towards Lisbon for 40 days with all these blisters. Because he wants a personal encounter with each one of us. And sometimes the world we live in doesn’t let us draw close to God as He would like. He also reminded us that every day we must give thanks for being here. Life is a continual thanksgiving: living gratefully.
Mass was presided over by Fr Jaume Gené, the parish priest of Altafulla. In the homily he spoke to us about the covenant God makes with Abraham, because it was the first reading. And he encouraged us to see that God promises him descendants as many as the stars in the sky; that tomorrow, when we walk at night, we should look at those stars to remember that God has a covenant with his people, with us, with each one of us.
Since the other priests knew him, he came to have dinner with us. What a great time we had! We shared lots of stories from the day. Despite aching legs, swollen knees and tiredness, there wasn’t a single face among the pilgrims without a smile. The joy we are living these days is supernatural, because the pace is intense, but it can’t beat the pilgrims’ spirit.
We have more surprises that we’ll tell you about in the chronicles. Good night: punctual as ever, by 8 pm we’re all asleep.
Until tomorrow, parents!