Today is day 6 of our Marian pilgrimage. We started the day with mass at one of the chapels inside the Cathedral. Photos are not allowed inside so we just filled our curious eyes in awe at the magnificent structures, beautiful antique candelabras and massive columns.
A hearty breakfast awaited us that nourished us for a long, rainy day ahead of us. I again decided to stay behind and was just glad, it was not only me hunkering down inside the cozy living room. There was Andrew, Frances, and Winnie from the Chinese group who also stayed behind and watched over the hand carried belongings of their friends who joined the 3-hour walking tour of Santiago de Compostela. Since I also stayed behind, Butch had a chance to go with the group, but not for long as he went back together with MaryAnn to the Monastery...it was cold at 13'C and raining. We headed back to our rooms for a nap, as we didn't get enough sleep the night before.
This place is special for Butch as Santiago de Compostela who is actually St. James the Greater, one of the most beloved apostles of Christ was named after him. St. James was executed in Jerusalem but his disciples brought his body back according to tradition in Spain to Galicia. It is said that that he had preached in the Iberian Peninsula specifically in Galicia and wanted to be buried there after his death. St James built the first Marian church in the world on the site , which today is a magnificent basilica to our Lady of the Pillar and centre for devotion to Mary.
Following his burial in Spain, his tomb was soon forgotten and covered with forest. However a rediscovery in 813 by a hermit Pelayo who was interrupted from his evening prayers by a series of inexplicable lights in a nearby forest. When they checked where the bright lights were shining and cleared the undergrowth, they found a building in ruins with an altar and a crypt identified as the remains of St James. Eventually St James was declared the patron saint of Spain and the place named as Santiago de Compostela or James in the field of stars.
Lunch was at a nearby cafe within the Santiago de Compostela area. We had good food capped with churros and hot cocoa.
We left Santiago de Compostela for Leon (4 1/2 hours) and onwards to Burgos (2 1/2 hours). We visited the beautiful Cathedral of Leon. According to our guide, after a devastating earthquake, it took 100 years to restore the cathedral. On our way back to the bus, it rained and we were all dripping wet and cold. We passed by the Plaza de San Marcos and another work of art in the gothic style by the famous architect Gaudi who also designed the La Sagrada Familia.
Hotel Corona del Castilla was our home for the night. Dinner was very good especially with a very hearty and warm soup to start with.
Tomorrow will again be a long day for us. We are scheduled to visit the house of St Ignatius Loyola and immediately after, heading towards Lourdes in France.
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