The parish Youth Group held its final meeting at the end of last term. This parish project, which began six years ago, was led initially by Frankie McGuire and for the past two years by Justyna Jablonska.
As Justyna approaches the end of her degree studies there is no obvious successor and so the Pastoral Parish Council has taken the decision to continue its mission with young people, working through the schools.
Thanks to Frankie and Justyna for their faithful and inspirational support for our young people and to the team of youth workers who have supported them.
Thanks also to all parishioners who have shown their backing for this project which has worked with young Catholics regularly on Wednesday evenings in the parish, at social and fund rasing events in the parish and by arranging excursions to religious sites across Scotland and on Pilgrimage to Whithorn, Iona, Rome, Krakow and Compostella.
Members of the Perth Catholic Youth Project set off to walk the final 70 miles of the Camino, setting out from Sarria, on the traditional pilgrimage route to the Shrine of St James, in Compostela, Spain in July 2014.
A fitting fanfare from Ryan Air heralded the safe and early arrival of the flight from Edinburgh to Santander marking the start of Perth Catholic Youth Project’s Camino. The group, led by project leaders Frankie McGuire and Fr Tom Shields, parish priest at St John the Baptist RC Church, Perth, then made its way by coach to Sarria, the starting point on its 70 mile Camino to Santiago de Compostela.
After twelve hours in transit, a welcome dip in the pool at their first albergue in Vilie. A group of 12 adult pilgrims will follow the pilgrimage route in parallel with the youngsters over the next seven days.
All is quiet this evening after a wonderful meal and great Spanish hospitality.
Day 2 – Sarria to Portomarin
An early breakfast slowly enlivened the pergrinos. There was even plenty to stock the bags for snacks along the way.
Our minibus was loaded with the luggage and then we set off on foot (back) to Sarria to get the official stamp on our pilgrim passports.
A cool day, with rolling mists through the valleys around us, made conditions perfect. None of the expected rain came our way. The path past through the lush pastures of dairy cattle – and aroma grasses and herbs filled the air, overwhelmed at times with the odours of the cattle.
The area around Portomarín has been inhabited for many thousands of years as the number of castros in the vicinity testifies. The Romans occupied it and named the area Portumarini but it is said to have been Don Guitierre and the Condesa Dona Ilduana who founded the town of Portomarín in the 10th century. The town was divided into two boroughs on the left bank of the river was San Pedro and on the right bank was San Juan.
With the discovery of the tomb of Saint James the town’s importance grew and at one time had 3 orders of knights including the Knights Templar, Knights of Santiago and the Knights of St John of Jerusalem. This will go some way to explaining the castle type architecture of the church of San Nicolás.
In the 1960s the Miño River was dammed to create the Belesar reservoir, putting the old village of Portomarín under water. The most historic buildings of the town were moved brick by brick and reconstructed in the new town, including its castle-style main church: Church of San Juan of Portomarín.
After settling into their albergue – and freshening themselves up – the swiming pool proved a great attraction.
Day 3 – Portomarin to Palas de Rei
Forecast to be the wettest day of our Camino, Saturday lived up to expectation. Even the eucalyptus forests couldn’t hold back the periods of heaviest rain. The route took us to 735m above sea level, as high as the Cairnwell Ski Centre at Glenshee. The morning climb was steep and, as the day continued, inclines became tougher at each step. Our support bus was busier today ferrying the weariest pilgrims. By far the longest and most difficult section has now been completed.
Mass today was celebrated in English by Fr Tom in the Church of St Theresa in Palas de Rei.
The history of Palas de Rei is linked to military culture, still retaining many archaeological remains. According to tradition, the city was where the palace of an early Visigoth king lived.
Day 4 – Palas de Rei to Melide
So much easier day today. Only 18km and downhill – only the weather to get under control now. The day started with thick fog, the morning was marked by heavy showers and then, on arrival at Melide, there were moments of strong Spanish sun.
Our pilgrims’ diary records more and more words of wisdom, and witty commentary on our progress. Bravo to the stars of our Camino for coping with the probing photojournal. A DVD is being compiled as a souvenir. Hopefully, for the moment, our families are able to share a little of the ‘journey of a lifetime’ on which they have sent their children.
Sunday Mass was in the church of Spiritu Sancte dating from the 13th century. It’s Romantic style, and dramatic statuary, provided Fr Tom with plenty of material for his homily.
Day 5 – Melide to Arzua
Melide to Arzua today – so deceptively short on the route map – but in its final section there was plenty time to reflect on the words of the Irish Blessing – may the road rise up to meet you!
Beautiful countryside, gorgeous churches and great company – time to wonder too about the couragous pilgrims who were completing the full 490 mile Camino route.
Time to relax at a watersports centre at Portodemouros – kayaking on a lake formed by damming part of the Rio Ulla.
The day ended with a ‘barbecue’ and a game of football in which father and son, Antonio and Alejandro, set aside their disappointments with their country’s achievement at the World Cup – to bring a true international flavour to the match.
Day 6 – Arzua to Pedrouzo
The whole group awoke at exactly the same time this morning – except perhaps for those who had been entertained by the sonor-like echoes of snoring across the entire length of the dormitory. The group met as usual for prayer with the group of 12 adults who are travelling beside us.
Today was one of the shortest walks – arriving for lunch at the end of the day’s route.
An afternoon of swimming then Mass on the Feast of St Mary Magdalene in the garden at the albergue and then off to the nearby restaurant for dinner.
Day 7 – Monte de Gozo
Awaking in Pedrouzo to a rather simple breakfast but a relatively easy day’s walk to Monte do Gozo where we would get our first glimpse of Santiago de Compostela.
The first person in the group to reach the ‘Mount of Joy’ will be crowned king or queen of the Camino. In truth, having restrained her pace for so many days to support the larger group, there were no doubts to whom the crown would belong.
Time to freshen up at the albergue before Mass at 4pm in the tiny church of San Marco within sight of the monument.
Day 8 – Arriving at Compostela
On Day 8 it was just a short walk from our last albergue to the ancient centre of Santiago de Compostela.
With the final luggage transfer complete, and the minibus/luggage van returned to its depot, it was time to enter the Cathedral Square on the final steps of our Camino.
Fireworks on the Eve of the Feast of St James
https://vimeo.com/102416295
After dinner we headed to the Cathedral Square to enjoy a light display and the fireworks for the start of the Feast of St James.
Strict crowd control meant that we we only allowed to enter in small groups and so, after what seemed like an eternity, all the youth pilgrims were allowed to go in.
Standing at the foot of the Cathedral we were enthralled by walls of light and fire which lit up a sea of faces, both in the square and on the surrounding buildings.
Mass for the Feast of St James – Patron of Spain
Mass for the Feast of St James was celebrated on 25th July in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. The Cardinal of Toledo presided over the national event concelebrated by Archbishop Julián Barrio Barrio.
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia were accompanied by members of the Spanish government.
Members of our youth group squeeze into vantage points in the south transcept – climbing onto pillars at times to get a better view. TV lights illuminated every corner of the 1000 year old building – the sanctuary looked sumptuous with its highly ornate decoration.
Mass was said in Spanish and the traditional Geogorian setting of the Missa de Angelus was interspersed with a complimentary modern score. A fanfare of mediaeval instruments welcome the monarchs and the massive sounds of the great organ, with its dramatic Spanish trumpet pipes, filled the cathedral.
Mass ended with the use of the great Botafumeiro used at the Pilgrim Masses. One tradition has it that the use of a swinging censer in the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral began in the 11th century. Arriving pilgrims were tired and unwashed. It was also believed that incense smoke had a prophylactic effect in the time of plagues and epidemics. Of course, incense burning is also an important part of the liturgy, being an “oration to God”, or form of prayer.
Watch here for our pilgrim’s video of the great Botafumeiro.
Then watch the arrival of King Felipe and Queen Letitia followed by the full Cathedral Mass (password provided) from Gallicia TV
https://vimeo.com/102413598
(Password: 3gy)
Day 10 – Time to explore
Finally there was time to explore the city at length as we divided into smaller groups and headed off to find lunch, souvenirs, entertainment, ice cream and to become like locals in our new found city.
It was hard not to think “what if” as we compared our experiences with those of visitors to our own city of Perth. What if there was so much to do, to see, to enjoy…?
Perhaps there is, and we only have to discover it, as if through the eyes of a tourist in Perth.
Ten days in Spain – certainly the trip of a lifetime.