Churches along the Camino

The Catholic Church provided a great deal of the support to early Pilgrims....from lodging to food to spiritual nourishment.....the Churches were key to each journey.   So it should be no surprise that the Camino route passes each and every major Church - in cities, towns and villages.    I love the fact that every town has a beautiful place of worship.  I remain in awe of the grandeur of the Cathedrals and the power the Church yielded throughout Spain.   But as beautiful as the large Cathedrals were....they are now managed more as museums then places of active community and worship.   I found myself feeling like the Churches were part of yesterday not today....

 

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I was inspired more by the smaller Churches were we held many of our Pilgrim Masses and received a powerful blessing for our journey, or shared Gregorian chanting or said the Rosary with the congregation.   I was excited to enter the many small Churches we stopped in to say a prayer and light a candle.  I found myself more in awe off their simple beauty then the grandeur that the Cathedrals offered.   They resonated with the Pilgrim in me that was carrying all his belongings for the journey on my back.  They offered the quiet solitude that refreshed.   They felt alive and supporting their communities with love.  They were our spiritual centers and provided a warm embrace.    Luckily for us they were at every turn and guided us in their own way....