Chronicle of Sunday 10 August

Dear parents, grandparents, friends and all the rest of the pilgrims,

We can let you know that, after today’s tough stage, the pilgrims have arrived in Predappio safe and sound, despite the fierce sun that tried to scorch their heads and the various setbacks they came across along the way.

First thing in the morning, we meditated on our role in the world according to God’s plan. Today we were arriving in the birthplace of Benito Mussolini, and this led us to think that, when we seek our greatness in what is human, we dig our own grave. What is human passes; what is divine does not. It is important to make ourselves small in the eyes of others, without seeking our own vainglory, because if we glorify what comes from God, it will become eternal.

Today Joan Xipell was guiding us and, after four hours of walking up and down the road, the van was waiting for us —with waffles and Nutella sauce!— to celebrate the Lord’s day. Happy Sunday to all of you reading our chronicles. After that dose of sugar we carried on, heading deep into the mountains. When we reached a point where we didn’t know whether to go round or cross the river, Jose Gomar took off his shoes and made a way for us to cross over the water by stepping on stones. Among the veterans it is well known that wet feet mean blisters.

On the other bank, we met a very friendly grandmother who asked us what we were doing there and, on hearing the answer, told us there was a bridge we could have crossed. In the end, we had to take quite a detour, because the crossing marked on our route was closed for works. Exhausted, we made a second stop to drink something and gather strength to carry on.

When we arrived at the scout house where we will spend the night, a super fideuà cooked by the logistics team was waiting for us, and we were welcomed by Don Massimo, the priest in charge of the local parishes. By the way, today we’re sleeping in beds too: we’re on a roll. The Lord gives us little great graces.

In the afternoon, we were able to have an hour of prayer with the Blessed Sacrament exposed and, after the meditation, we celebrated Holy Mass. It is truly beautiful and enriching to be able to pray all together as a community, because we feel more united and stronger in our faith. Praying as a community reminds us that we are not alone on our way, but are part of the great family of the universal Church. Taking part in Mass, which is the sacrifice of the cross, makes us feel that we are one with Jesus and with all believers in the world. It is a very special moment in which we are united in prayer, in love and in hope, knowing that we share the same faith and that, together, we can grow in our commitment to follow Jesus. The community helps us to live with more joy and to remember that in union with God and with our brothers and sisters we find true strength and peace.

To end the day, we had some lovely green beans with tomato and pork loin; Emma Sarsanedas told us it’s a typical dish from her home and she was excited to make it for us. Even Marc León, the most refined palate of us all, liked it.

To round the day off nicely, we had a get-together in which we fondly and humorously recalled summer camps and pilgrimages in the time of covid, sang a few songs and prayed Compline together, asking the Lord for a good rest so that we can begin the coming day with joy.