The Catholic Observer

I regret readers that I have not blogged for sometime but I am sure you have been kept entertained and informed by John, Colin and Eric. I am hale and hearty but frankly by the time we reach our destination especially on the longer segments I'm exhausted. I have been known to slipstream behind one of the Octagenarians on the last ascent of the afternoon. On arrival it's usually a hot shower before I can lift my legs higher than a credit card. Then an old codger's nap before dinner. We are now almost 100 kilometres into the trip and I have not completely formed any opinion on the Way of Saint James. Before this opportunity presented itself I would have associated a Pilgrimage more with journeying to Jerusalem or for those with a strong sense of the role of Mary, the Mother of God in Catholicism:- Lourdes, Fatima, or perhaps even Medjugorge. Religion is always a contentious subject and I would remind the reader that this is a single opinion or as I would normally say if guilt persists for more than 48 hours see you local PP (Parish Priest). The basis of the Pilgrimage is that the relics of St James, Son of Zebedee and Brother to John are at Santiago del Compostela. St James was the first of the Apostles to be martyred. Beheaded by Herod Agrippa in about 44AD in Jerusalem. The question of how the relics got to Santiago and their authenticity was the subject of a Papal Bull (not Fernando but a Papal Doctrine) I have not read it but I suspect it would not be "ex cathedra" . (The Pope occupies the Chair of St Peter. When doctrines are issued from the Chair they are understood to be infallible. ) The Papal Document regarding the position of Mary the Mother of God in the Catholic Church was"ex cathedra" I think the legend goes that St James relics were found by a Shepherd and were marked by a field of stars (Compostela.) He reported it to the Bishop (as you do) and in due time a Cathedral was built on the site (as you do) .Mass at this Cathedral will mark the end of the Pilgrimage on Thursday. A lot of interesting things happen to people who follow stars! It seems the expected way to find things before GPS. St James is the Patron Saint of Spain and was said to have appeared a number of times one in particular at a Battle in which the Moors were defeated. As an aside St Peter, St John and St James also were said to have appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. This was one of the seminal events in the establishment of The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints - The Mormons. The question for you the reader is " would it matter to you if the relics are or are not authentic". Pilgrims who successfully complete and submit their "Camino Passport" are granted a Compostela - a Certificate of Completion This Certificate I understand is an Indulgence. My believe is that it is a "plenary indulgence" in the Years when the Feast Day of St James falls on a Sunday. At other times it is a "partial indulgence" An Indulgence is not about the forgiveness of Sin. Forgiveness comes from the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Catholicism maintains that there are two types of punishment or Penance for Sin. Temporal or Eternal. A plenary Indulgence removes completely the temporal punishment, the partial indulgence some. Oversimplified is that if your punishment for sin is of an eternal nature and you pass away your in a world of ....! And if your punishment is temporal for your sins you enter into Purgatory. There are of course many stipulations and preconditions regarding Indulgences and again there is a Papal Bull regarding Indulgences. I know some of you studied Chaucer's The Pardoners Tale at HighSchool but don't rely on it for Catholic Doctrine. The question here for you the Reader - do you firstly believe in Indulgences and would you be able to meet all the stipulations associated with it eg. Are you in a "State of Grace" ? Aside from the technical issues There are some beautiful metaphors associated with the Camino, the scalloped shell whose grooves meet at a single point representing the different Pilgrim Paths to Santiago de la Compostela. The leaving of rocks, memorabilia, and pictures along the way as petitions and symbols of leaving your sin, grief or other matters behind. The greeting along The Way is "Buon Camino". For now I wish you "Buon Nuit".