Today, many people celebrate the great feast of Pentecost. Five years ago, I had the privilege of hiking 132 km of the "Camino de Santiago" on the Northern coast of Spain. I arrived at the cathedral in Santiago the day before this fine feast day. While this hike and feast hold deep institutional ties, I think their true beauty lies in their flexible and adaptable nature. The trail is simply a place for people to walk, for whatever reason their heart may hold. The feast is a celebration of a peaceful ambiguously natured spirit that speaks differently to each of us, but never fails to touch a single heart. This poem/ prayer is written by a fellow pilgrim of the camino, Joyce Rupp. It does a great job of explaining this unifying spirit of simplicity that inspires me daily, and especially today.
"The Pilgrim Prayer"
Guardian of my soul,
guide me on my way this day.
Keep me safe from harm.
Deepen my relationship with you,
your Earth, and all your family.
Strengthen your love within me
that I may be a presence of your peace
in our world.
--Tom Pfeffer & Joyce Rupp
Source: Rupp, Joyce. 2005. Walking in a Relaxed Manner: Life Lessons from the Camino. New York: Orbis Books.
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