Day 12- DecazevilleToday we left Conques a village with a medieval charm hanging on the sides of a steep gorge above the river Deurdeu. We spent the night at the Abbey de Saint Foy and just managed to stay awake for the office of Compline at 9:30 after a long day and large meal.
This morning we faced a hard climb out of the gorge. When we left Sydney we had worried about this day, but because we were adhering to the Camino philosophy of “Letting Go” over the past 11 days; we found it well within our ability. Letting go ensured that the anxiety (which is unimportant because there is nothing one can do about if we are committed to the action of climbing the mountain) is allowed to pass through to the keeper (to use a cricket analogy). As a result we both started with a positive frame of mind and even passed younger pilgrims in the ascent. Going up we came to a Chapel of St Roch. It is tiny but has a bell, the chord hangs just inside the door and we believe pilgrims are expected to toll the bell as they pass. Well Enda certainly did. There are several stories of St Roch. One has him as a physician who contracted the plague while undertaking the pilgrimage to Santiago. He was one who didn’t succumb to the plague and on recovery stayed on to treat other pilgrims who became infected. He is much revered along the Camino and many Chapels are found dedicated to him. He is normally depicted in statues holding his tunic above his knee to depict the plague mark. Usually accompanied by a dog as it is said when he was suffering from the plague, a dog continually licked his wounds clean. He is said to be the patron saint of dogs and bachelors. For the lovers of food: tonight we had a dish which could be described as lasagne like. The important distinction being instead of pasta, sheets of cabbage are used. The meat ingredient is minced pork with herbs. There are traces of other vegetables, bread and rice. Not to be ever seen on a Parisian restaurant table but is superb country food. Like all the food so far on the Camino it was not sophisticated, merely wonderful home style cooking. I somehow get the impression that despite our attempt to emulate earlier pilgrims we are failing in our dietary intake. We need to constantly remind ourselves that one purpose of this Camino was to help the St Vincent de Paul Society, at the moment with all the good food, we feel we are letting the side down. But tomorrow morning as soon as the climbing begins all this will be forgotten, as we progress step after step. Always remembering to live in the moment and to be content with one step at a time. Mindfulness yet again put into practice. Tomorrow here is Passion (Palm) Sunday and we enter the final week of Lent. We added Kelvin Quill, Frank Burgess, and Betty Anderson to our prayer list. Today’s candle for all our pilgrims in spirit and those on our prayer list was lit in a Chapel of St Rock 1.5 km from the village of Noailhac. You may be able to make out St Rock in the statue. Remember if you wish to put someone on our prayer list or to have any intention included, please email me [email protected]
1 Comment
john & Meg
10/4/2017 11:47:11 am
Meg & I are really enjoying your daily reflections. Informative, thoughtful, funny and inspiring! Wishing you both happy walking. xxx
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