Crosier Fathers and Brothers

Congratulations Fr. Tom and fellow pilgrims! After they reached the cathedral, they received a document (Compostela) that certified completion of the Camino de Santiago and a declaration of the distance they walked.

Camino de Santiago: We made it—Welcome Ahhh! The joy and emotion of having completed the challenge of walking 175 miles in 12 days. What a blessing to have had this opportunity as part of my sabbatical after finishing my term as major superior. I am grateful to the Crosiers for the gift of time and resources to have this experience. I have been praying for all of you who requested prayers during the journey. God bless you and your loved ones and your various needs and concerns. I return to Phoenix on Thursday night. Blessings!!

Day 11: Greetings, friends. This last day of our Camino we walked about 14 miles from Padron to Santiago. I have included a couple of photos of public laundries that are still used. They provide a communal experience for women who typically do the laundry here. I included a couple of photos of our walking path and one of the beautifully kept yards that are very typical here. The people have a wonderful appreciation for beauty and dedicate significant time and energy to cultivate beautiful gardens and yards.

Day 11: Photos of the day and boat trip commemorating the transfer of St. James’ body to Santiago. On the boat trip we saw crosses that were put up to create the Stations of the Cross to commemorate the transfer of the body of St. James to Santiago. We walked 3 miles to Padron and stopped in the church of Padron named for St. James.

Day 11: A relaxing day in Vilanova de Arousa. We were scheduled for a boat ride to Padrón at 4 pm so we had lots of time to take it easy and experience more of Vilanova. It turned out to be the patronal feast of the city, St. Ciprian. The photos are from the church where we attended the solemn Mass at noon.

Day 10: A lovely morning walk along a picturesque stream to start the day. The stream’s energy was tapped for milling and saw cutting in the past. A photo of the gentle stream we followed for a good portion of the morning as well as the vineyards very common in this region of Spain. We came upon vine dressers harvesting their crops.

Day 10: I was most impressed by this new bridge designed to take the reality of many pilgrims into account creating a separate wooden boardwalk under the main bridge to avoid pilgrims having to walk alongside a heavily traveled bridge. I found a very good example of the trail markings we have been following. The “Spiritual Variant” refers to a special option pilgrims on the Portuguese Camino can take that includes a boat ride that follows the route taken when St. James’s bossy was bright to Santiago for burial. Here is what our guidebook says. “The Variante Espiritual splits off from the main rout (of the Portuguese Camino) following a beautiful, circuitous route on pleasant, wooded paths. It adds 7.2 km to the journey if you take the recommended boat trip. The Maritime Way of the Cross passes a series of crosses in the river that commemorate the final journey of St. James’ body ( also avoiding over 30 km of uninspiring walking on pavement).” When we read that, we knew we had to do the boat trip that awaits us tomorrow! Blessings and prayers to all as we draw near the end of our pilgrimage.

Day 10: The journey led us through more rural areas of northern Spain with some challenging paths to negotiate. I took a photo of one of the signs on the path which are simpler and different from the granite markers that indicate the number kilometers remaining to arrive in Santiago. My lesson for the day. At one point I was out front of our group. I saw some yellow markings on the side of the road with arrows pointing forward. I was at a slit in the road, one way going up and the other a small trail going down. I figured I needed to continue on the road uphill when an elderly woman (symbolic of a good spiritual director) came out of her house to run an errand. She could see I was not sure which way to go and that I chose to continue uphill. She shouted and gestured that I needed to take the smaller downhill path and asked, “Don’t you see the signs?” A great lesson to be mindful of the signs we are looking for. I was looking for the granite marker; the signs are now more simple wooden posts with the small plaque of the Spiritual Way. The gospel of the day was Jesus teaching about removing the plank from one’s eye before being able to remove the splinter in another’s eye. The senior woman exemplified the teaching, being able to remove my splinter because she had removed the plank in her own eye and clearly knew the path I should take.

Day 9: A beautiful and historic Cistercian monastery that has become a tourist destination. We made it to Armenteira, our destination for today. There is a marvelous old Cistercian monastery in town (right next to the bar and restaurant!) with 10 nuns and the chaplain. We joined them for Vespers that included a multilingual blessing for pilgrims. We ended our day with a good experience of the pilgrim’s menu at the local restaurant. Hi in carbs for energy to keep walking.

Day 9: Dear friends, On the highest solemnity of the Crosiers, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, I send you my special prayers and thoughts to live the mystery of the Holy Cross in your lives. We started our day in Pontevedra. The first photos are of the church of Our Lady who is the patroness of the Portuguese Camino.

Happy Feast Day, continued! We invite all to celebrate this most important feast day of the Order, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. "We should glory in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom is our salvation, life and resurrection, through whom we are saved and delivered," --Galatians 6:14.

Our principal feast day, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, is officially today--Sept. 14, but this year we moved it to Sunday to allow more people to celebrate with us. The Crosiers worldwide celebrate this most important feast day for the Order. We celebrate its historical significance and commemorate the Holy Cross as the instrument of our salvation. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” --John 3:16-17

Camino de Santiago Day 7: Greetings friends! Today had the feel of last year’s Camino Primitivo. We moved inland and enjoyed the Beaty and topographical variety of northern Spain. The weather was cool and sunny, perfect for walking. There were several significant ascents that required some real effort but we endured!! These photos are of a bridge made by the Roman’s when they occupied this part of the world. They know how to build a bridge that lasts!! One of the blessings of a pilgrimage are the surprises along the way. Here you can see a couple of homes beautifully adorned with a variety of flowers. The climate and land are favorable to this kind of gardening.

It was very noticeable as we began this stage that the other two Caminos in Portugal (coastal and central) had come together with ours as we became part of a regular stream of pilgrims from many different countries. A blessing to feel part of a movement of people bigger than oneself! We arrived in Pontevegra by 2 pm so it has been a much easier day than our previous two days. Armenteira is our destination for tomorrow. Blessings and prayers to all!!

Day 7 (Part 2): Enjoy these images from Vigo, Spain, a significant port city on the western coast of Spain. The objects floating in the bay are mussel growing ponds. The next time you enjoy mussels, maybe they will be those cultivated and harvested in Vigo!

Day 7 (Day 4): Another beautiful photo as we were reaching the end of the large inlet that began in Vigo. Moving inland, we experienced some of the more typical setting of the Camino with dirt path and lovely tree canopies. St James welcomed us at one village’s public well. We filled our water bottles from the three flowing streams at the bottom and enjoyed the fresh and cool water from the Spanish countryside.

Before I conclude for the day, I learned that the people of Galicia, the Spanish province that sits north of Portugal and is home to Santiago de Compostela, have their own dialect known as gallego. It is a mixture of Portuguese and Spanish. I shared with one of our hosts that I speak some Brazilian Portuguese after living in Brazil for two years. She said it would be easy for me to learn gallego with its mix of Spanish and Portuguese. I’m not sure I’m up to learning another language at this point!! Until my next message I send my love and prayers to all of you who are sharing my Camino experience with me. Blessings.

Day 7 (Part 3): You never know what you’ll see on the Camino!! These goats were enjoying some liberty- it appeared they may have “escaped” as no one was tending them! We came upon a lovely waterfall mid-afternoon and were ready for a break.

Day 7 (Part 1): Greetings, friends! We survived the longest walking day on the Camino with just over 20 miles. Needless to say we are tired and a bit sore! But we made it. In the morning before we left the place we stayed last, I had a delightful conversation with the father of the woman who runs the B&B in the lower level of the house. As we stood outside preparing for our walk, I noticed they had a structure much like the photo of a model I took when we took our first break of the day. It was in the back outdoor garden of the coffeehouse. I learned that these structures were commonly used in the past to preserve cereal grains, potatoes and even cheese from mice and other rodents. They were traditionally made of stone with a large wheel of stone on top of each supporting leg. They discovered that this design prevented mice and other rodents from gaining access to the store of grains and such. On our walk, I came upon a life-sized version of the “horro” which means a place for saving something. Enjoy the images and this piece of Galician culture and tradition.

Day 6 (Part 3): Some more images on our way to Baiano as well as a peaceful cove and beach in the city. We stopped for lunch near the home that incorporated a former castle tower. A child’s dream playground to battle with imaginary dragons and pirates perhaps!! Another 2-hour walk and we arrived in Nigran for the night. One more 16-mile day awaits us tomorrow and then our walks shorten to 10-14 miles a day for the remainder of our journey. Prayers for peace and justice in our world as we commemorate the events of 9/11 now almost 25 years ago that marked our country and so many people’s lives forever. Blessings.

Day 6 (Part 2): Rocky terrain does not keep them from building lighthouses and homes on the rock. See if you can find the home at the top of the hill. Our journey brought us to Baiano and very strong wave action in the ocean. A number of islands with beautiful beaches lie off the Spanish coast.

Day 6 (Part 1): Greetings!! Hard to believe we hit the halfway point already! Lovely day for walking in Spain along the coast. The windmill has been restored at the shoreline resort where we stopped after the initial two-hour walk to rest and enjoy a “zumo” de naranja, freshly squeezed orange juice that makes a perfect and natural energy drink. A fairly significant line of rocky hills runs up the coast to our right.

Day 5 (Part 1): Greetings friends! Another beautiful day on the Camino. We witnessed this delightful “sandlot” preschool group on the beach. Wouldn’t that be a great place to go to school!! Morning ended with a boat ride dropping us off in Spain so we have left Portugal and it’s lovely people behind. Part 2 will include photos from the remainder of the day. Blessings!!

On Sept. 11, 2001, the tragic events of that day united us and strengthened our resolve. Let us always remember the souls we lost, and continue praying for healing, hope and peace for all. We are one nation under God.

Day 4: Good day, dear friends. Another day in paradise. The first photos where we stayed. The previous evening. A good portion of our walk ran together with what is known as the Central Camino in distinction to the Coastal Camino that we are walking. The word in Portuguese for coastal is litoral which you have been seeing on the signs. Not too many photos today since we walked among neighborhoods and then along the coast for the second half of the day. I took a photo of a creative mailbox (Correio) made to match the architecture of the home. We met a couple of colorful Italians when we had our meal at the end of the walk. Roberto entertained us while his friend, Giuseppe, looked on amused. Blessings to one and all. Fr. Tom osc

Camino de Santiago Day 3: Good day! After celebrating Mass and having breakfast we started out for a 16 mile walk that ended being 17.5 by the time we arrived at our B and B. Beautiful day spent mostly inland about a half mile from the coast. Not a lot of distinctive views but a few places or spots of interest that you’ll see here. The image of Mary had a little light that was on as a guide to pilgrims. We ended the day with an incredible seafood dinner. Monday includes a 15-mile walk to Afife. Prayers and blessings.

Day 2 (Part 3): Who would have thought to rent beds on the beach!! I guess folks like to be comfortable when they’re at the beach. A church with a steeple is a common site, but a church with its own lighthouse is a new one for me. 14.6 miles today; 16.5 await us tomorrow. We are getting into the long-distance walking that is part of the Camino. I continue to hold all those who requested prayers in my thoughts and time with God on the trail. Blessings!!

Greetings to all!! Day 2 (Part 1): On the Portuguese Camino began with low clouds and a cool wind at our backs after a night of heavy rain. Thankfully, we did not have to walk in the rain. I have several photos of the shoreline with the hearty souls who dare the 63-degree water temperature to practice their surfing skills.

Camino de Santiago with Fr. Tom Enneking, osc, Day 1: We began our Portuguese Camino today from Porto, Portugal. An ideal day for walking. As providence would have it, we barely left the place where we stayed when a young mother, Alesia, and her daughter, Luna, who is 1.5 years old asked if they could join us. We walked together the whole day. We walked 17 miles arriving in Lavra along the Atlantic coast. A beautiful way to begin the journey. I am praying for many who have shared concerns and burdens they are carrying. God be with all of you!!