The Brothers .....

Noah (13), Seamus (24), Ian (22)

Today's Catholic Article: St James pilgrimage and adventure, lesson

 

Today's Catholic - June, 2010

Reminiscing the Camino de Santiago de Compostela

Fondly recalling the pilgrimage he took last year with Seamus and Ian, Noah put together a two-song-long YouTube clip that summarizes their journey in Spain.  He included two country western songs that he listened to a lot during the 400 miles of hiking ... they now remind him of his month in Spain.

The Pope in Santiago de Compostela

It was neat to see the Pope in Santiago de Compostela on EWTN today. It brought back a lot of memories from the boys' pilgrimage this past summer. Here's a neat YouTube clip showing the Pope visiting the main points of pilgrimage:

Pope Benedict XVI in Santiago de Compostela

Happy Feast Day

I was going to make a post yesterday, but it was a pretty busy day, so I couldn't make it happen. Yesterday I drove from Houston to San Antonio. I had a man weekend in Houston with my buddy, Cody. We got to visit the St. Arnold's brewery and tour it. Its a craft micro brewery. St. Arnold is the patron saint of brewers. The story has it that in Germany, this guy was a bishop and long after he died the people of his parish town wanted to honor him with a fancy grave or something like that. So they went up on a mountain where he was buried and dug him up and walked him to the town. It was a procession of hundreds of people. It was a long walk, so they stopped at a little bar on the way for a rest and a drink, but the bar only had enough beer for one mug. So the first person took a sip and passed it down. Eventually EVERYONE got a sip. It's almost like the story with the loaves and fish or the Hanukkah story. Too bad we don't have a St. Arnold's Day celebration. I could see America turning that into a fun one.

The next morning I was on the road for San Antonio at 6:30. I had a 12:55 flight to New York to visit Mary and her family. It was a bit of a drive for how tired I was. But I made it. I also got to meet her brother Jim and sister-in-law, Janelle. We grabbed dinner at Applebee's. It was a good time. Mary's Dad also showed me his train collection. He has a pretty sweet track set up in the basement with fancy controllers and sounds and everything.

So now, being the morning person that I am, I'm up and I don't think anyone else is. But I have some reading to do, so its OK.

Its good to be back in the US. The adjustment to Spain and life on the Camino took at least a week ... I adjusted to being back in the US right away. Haha, funny how that works.

July 25 - The Feast of Saint James

The boys have been home for over two weeks now. It is hard to believe that since their trip, hundreds ... maybe thousands ... of people have continued to stream along the different Caminos leading to Santiago de Compostela. Today, the Feast Day of Saint James, I'm sure the city will be extraordinarily full of life and activity ... especially this year because July 25 falls on a Sunday, making it a Saint James Holy Year.

The boys are settling into their lives back home ... Seamus's Navy deployment to Korea was postponed, so he has taken on a temporary construction job until he moves to Texas State University for Graduate School in August. Ian has returned to his fellowship work at OU and will take more classes in August, and Noah has begun a more normal 13-year-old summer ... working on his summer English project, helping out with VBS at the church, swimming and hanging out with Lexi. The trip already feels like it was long ago, but every now and then a fun comment will come up, making me realize that the journey clearly had impact. I thank God and Saint James for their attention to my sons.

Novena to Saint James

Saint James,

Son of Zebedee,

Apostle of Christ,

Pray for us.

- Our Father, Glory Be, Hail Mary -

 

~ Say each day for nine days.

James & John

Miniature Book of Saints - I

James, John, Peter, and Jesus

The three events when James, John, and Peter were with Jesus ...

Journal Reading

Chad and I have been enjoying the journal the boys kept while in Spain. It helps to fill in some gaps ... for example:

Seamus wrote about buying some bread at a store where the store owner was so happy to have American customers. He cheerfully gave the boys an update on how the L.A.Lakers were doing. One of the Lakers players, Pau Gusol, is from Spain, and this shop-owner is very proud of that fact.

Ian wrote about enjoying the morning scenry of mist and fog blending in with the hills of Galicia. No surprise, he has always liked Celtic-type scenery.

Noah explained how they got to the cathedral in Santiago just as the censer was slowing down. He wrote that he was looking forward to seeing the "whole show" the next day. He also wrote about food ... a lot.

It will be fun to show their kids this journal in years to come! :)

Back Home

Back safe and sound (and VERY tired!).

Ian got to Oklahoma O.K. too.

Noah's Pilgrim Credential filled with stamps.

Off to the San Antonio Airport

Statue from Saint James the Apostle Church

in San Antonio

Chad and I will head to the airport to get Seamus and Noah soon ... Ian went directly to Oklahoma. We're looking forward to hearing more stories from the Camino ... and will hopefully learn they did not actually sleep in the bar the night before their early morning flight!

Some Photos

I'm at the USO in Ft. Worth, the flight got delayed about an hour to go home ... I just want to be home. I've been up for 23 hours now.

Flight went well, watched several movies. I've eaten more junk food today than I generally do in a 6 month period.

Thanks to everyone who followed and read the blog. It's been a great trip.

Here are some pics from the past few days when I wasn't able to post any:

St. James had a rough day. Haha.

The HUGE incense thing.

4th of July in the square.

That's the beach Noah and I went to.

Last night in Spain, watching Spain beat Germany in the World Cup semi finals. L-R, me, Noah, Alaska, Atlanta, England (I usually call people by where they are from. I learned very few names.).

Officially Back in Texas

We are officially back in Texas!
Good to be home.

Madrid-BarajasAirport...the Land Of Bad Keyboards And Yucky O.J.

Here we are in Madrid. The Flight from Santiago only took an hour, butthe plane was really cramped and hot. The good side is that we only have a 5 hour layover...we thought it was 6 hours.We got to the airport, and neither Seamus or Ian was feeling 100%. Then, Ian and I got breakfast, and seamus justgot an orange juice. Ian and I each got orange juice with our meal, and if you read the title, you can guess how the orange juice was. Now Ian feels better, and Seamus does too. I´m Ready to be home.


-Noah