A lot of pilgrims assume that the markers on the trail designate how far it is to the center of the square in Santiago. That's not the case. The markers actually show the distance to the tomb of St. James. So I guess technically, if a pilgrim doesn't go to the tomb, they didn't complete their pilgrimage. That's OK by me, because my reflections on this pilgrimage included St. James and his tomb, not the city Santiago, or the cathedral.
Today we received our Compostela certificate. Holding the certificates gave us a sense of accomplishment.
Then we went down to the tomb. The crypt sits beneath the high altar, and the line keeps moving, so we had about five seconds in front of the silver reliquary. I would have stayed an hour if I was allowed. But five seconds was enough to do what I came to do. On the first night in Roncesvalles I stood at the altar with a list of names in my pocket and the prayer requests everyone sent me. Today I laid every one of those intentions at the tomb of St. James.
For centuries pilgrims have climbed the narrow stairs behind the altar to embrace the statue of the apostle. It's called the Abrazo del Apóstol. We did it too, to thank him for bringing us here safely and to ask one more blessing.
We finished the way I started, at Mass. The Botafumeiro didn't swing today, so we have a reason to come back.
I hope to be different when I return home. I hope to live in the moment like I did on El Camino.
Thanks to everyone for all the prayers and encouragement!
