Twenty two of us, having just got off a flight from Dublin to Santiago de Compostella, are now on the bus driving 120 kms (100miles) away to a place called Sarria. 

 

It is hot and very humid, (I don't think the air con on the bus is working!) Sadly one of the group, one of our brothers fell this morning (in Dublin) and is no longer with the group, he will be missed and we were sad to leave him behind! 

 

Before we left this morning, Fr Michael Kelleher, the provincial of the Irish Redemptorists, celebrated the mass. His preaching made a signicant impact on the group as spoke of the shredded snakes skin being removed from the creature in order to let the snake see with new eyes and live within new skin! Over the course of the Camino he suggested that we might be able to see with new eyes and live within new skin! 

 

So far our group, (praying especially for CSsR vocations, and thanking God for our own) have met on the plane a group coming here to fund raise for Guide Dogs Ireland and the Heart Foundation.ie.

 

So we look forward to meeting so many new people from all different parts of the world, walking this Camino for all different intentions.

 

Having arrived in Sarria last night, (having been delivered to the wrong hotel!), we were ready after a good nights sleep to begin our walk. After morning prayer was celebrated by the Magdelane monastery in Sarria, we all make our start and walked the pilgrims way! 

 

The scenery was quite lovely as we walked through the morning mist. This was a good way to start the day as we managed to get many kilometres under our feet in the calm cool gentle beginning of the day. Later on the sun was high in the sky and gloriously baked us with its heat. 

 

Our mass this evening will be celebrated by one of the London Province's group. This will be a great opportunity for us all to be together and to pray for the many intentions that we have prayed for during this day. No doubt later on this evening there will be much sharing and laughter....more will follow! 

 

As we gradually get to know the other members of the group and the workings of the Camino this "blog" will develop and more photos will accompany this piece.

 

Those of you praying for us and our intentions, know that you are very much in our thoughts and prayers these day!