Prisonsweek.org
For some time in our Justice and Peace group we have been trying to find some way to highlight the fact that prisoners, irrespective of what they have done, must be treated with humanity and respect. This is probably the most difficult project we have ever been involved in. While it is easy to drum up support for people affected by floods or famine and our parish of St Mary’s have supported our projects very well, support for prisoners is proving difficult even for members of our own group. Once again Prisonsweek is upon us 21st – 27th November and we in St Mary’s Justice and Peace group have set ourselves the challenge to do something to mark the week. Through work I found the website http://www.prisonsweek.org/2010 which has a wealth of stuff to download. There is a lovely prayer leaflet on the home page and about halfway down the page there is a link to another page which is full of reflective diaries from prisoners, chaplains, governors, mothers and many more involved in the day to day life of prisoners.
I am hoping that our parish will be able to use these resources in the liturgies over this week.
The church in Ireland have, in their wisdom, dropped prisoner week from the liturgical calendar and replaced it with Restorative Justice Sunday.
www.prisonsweek.org/2010
Below is a link to Clerical Whispers and an article by Fr Gerry Mc Flynn a prison chaplain in England.
http://clericalwhispers.blogspot.com/2010/04/prison-priest-of-wormwood-scrubs.html
Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela
What do we mean by pilgrimage? Can we say there is a big difference in today’s and Medieval times. I would think so. The definition of Pilgrimage. A journey to a shrine or other sacred place undertaken to gain divine aid as an act of thanksgiving or penance or to demonstrate devotion. Medieval Christian pilgrims stayed at hospices set up specifically for pilgrims and on their return trip they wore on their hats the badge of the shrine visited. The chief attractions for pilgrims in the Middle ages were the Holy Land, Rome and Santiago de Compostela.
The name Santiago goes back to the apostle James (Santiago) who went to this most northern western part of Spain called by the Romans “Finis Terrae” end of the world to preach and convert people to Christianity.
After returning to Palestine in 44.A.C. he was taken prisoner by Herodes Agrippa and beheaded. The king forbid to bury him but in the night James’disciples stole the body and brought him in a sarcophagus of marble on board a small boat. The current of sea drove the boat to the Spanish coast into the port of the Roman provinces capital Iris Flavia. Here the apostle was buried at a secret place in the wood.
Centuries later in 813 the hermit Pelayo found the body under a very bright star. Bishop Teodomiro who received notice of that event instituted an investigation and so the tomb of the apostle was discovered. King Alphonso 11declared Saint James the patron of his empire and built a chapel at that place. It is reported that from then on St. James performed several miracles even that he fought side by side with king Ramiro 1 in the decisive battle against the Moors. In 711 the Moors invaded Spain and occupied it for 781 years. It is hard to believe they spoke Arabic there. A lot of words beginning with a for example Alhambra come from that language.
More and more pilgrims followed the way of Santiago and the original chapel soon became the cathedral of the new settlement Santiago de Compostela.
In the 12th and 13th century the town had its greatest importance and pope Alexander 111 declared it a Holy town like Rome and Jerusalem. Pope Calixtus 11 declared that the pilgrims who went to Santiago in a Holy Year should be free of all their sins. El Ano Santo (Holy Year) is celebrated each time when the feast of the apostles day 25th July is a Sunday.
In Medieval times pilgrims were protected by the military. This is why the refugios and albergues (hostals) were set up. It is wonderful to think that pilgrims in the 21st century can stay in albergues and not have to pay if they don’t have any money. These hostels are run by different groups. The friends of St James, the councils and private ones. I noticed the hostels run by the friends of St James are the only ones that have the box and donation written on it. The others charge about 6 -10 euros.
A lot of people think there is only one Camino and that is the French Camino. People have walked from all over Europe to Compostela and still do. The Irish used come from James Gate (Guinness). First they would go to Mass in St. James Church and then off down the Liffey on a boat. They would arrive in Coruna northern Spain and then walk to the Cathedral. You had to have and still do today what you call your credencial which is like a passport and you have it stamped every evening in the albergue or where ever you stay the night. These passport can be got from the Confraternity of St James. Often you can obtain them at the cathedrals in various cities.
The French route has become very commercialized so one now can book with an agency and they will arrange everything and also your gear will be carried for you. This can be great also. The distance from the beginning St Jean Pied du Port to Compostela is around 500-600 kil. To gain a Compostela which is a certificate you obtain when you finish provided to walk 100 kil or cycle 200 kil. of the route. I think the best way is fly to one of the airports in Northern Spain with your bag on your back and stay in the albergues is coming close to the real thing. When you arrive there it is important to buy the sea shell with the emblem of St. James cross. The shell goes back to Medieval times and was used to drink water with also to baptize people with. We used a silver one for one of my grand daughters a few years ago. I wonder are there any other children in Ireland baptize with one of these shells.
If anyone would like any more information on the Camino I would be very glad to talk to them.
Mary Ryan
19th August 2012 NEVER PRESUME, IT IS NOT OVER UNTIL THE FAT LADY SINGS
We are home since the 21st August. It is difficult to go back and write on previous days. Liz loves writing in her diary so probably she might not find it so hard.
On the 17th we stopped in a small little pueblo called Abadin. I said to liz “I just have to stop. I knew there was an albergue there and of course it was full. When you approach the alberque and you see so many people outside and in a conservatory like room with all the mats and sleeping bags on the floor you just know that is it. The hospital ario tells us there is a sport centre about 3 kil away also a pension up the pueblo. I take off and look. Of course too full. I just start cycling and climbing and find myself back on the 634 National road. There in front of me is a pension. I go in and there is a room. I am so tired I say to the guy I must ring my friend as I just cant go back down for her. He tries to ring the albergue. I know liz is not there. The other cyclist tell me “your friend is down there waiting for you”. I say “no way am I going down” I look out the door and there is Liz. I thank the Lord. These are the times when we feel ecstasy.
The next day we stayed on 634 for half day. We were like Hondas on these roads and just fly through about 40 kil. The second half of the map looked so hilly we said we would go on the Camino. What bliss this was and the road was good. We saw the most beautiful cathedral in Mondonedo. It was 13th century and looked very like the Notre Dame in Paris. Of course as usual it was locked. What an afternoon we had climbing higher and higher in the mountains. There was so much forest and either side of us it is hard to describe. The butterflies around us all the time and the different colours. Yellow, white with black dots , brownie black and so many more. We passed one or two farms and went into one for water. Three women were sitting outside just staring into space yet so happy. A young girl of 12 puts her arms around her grandmothers neck and off she goes. The next thing we see her on the horse no saddle and the dogs with her, so natural. I never saw so many horses as on this northern and La Cruz Caminos..
The next day we take off on the 634 and cycle cycle cycle until we nearly drop. I noticed there were so many lorries around and just did not really like the place. There seemed only one hotel in the whole pueblo and it was just fine. A scres had come out of my carrier and the ownere said he would fix it the next morning. I was talking to him next morning and asking him how many children had he. He said two and then proceeded to tell me that his daughter was doing a masters in London University and was killed while cycling around London. Her name was Maria Garcia Frenandez. You can google it. You can imagine how we felt getting up on the bikes that morning.
I have the heading of this report, never presume anything. Yes this was the first day I did not look at the map and dp0resumed we stay on the 634 to Santiago. As there is no motorway going into his city of course there is nothing but lorries on it. I said to Liz we will get off at the next sign for the camino and take our time going in. We knew we were going to finish this day. Liz all of a sudden said Stop. I stopped with that about five long lorries (like road train that they have in Australia) with enormous house length slabs of concrete passed. They seemed to pass for ever. This lorries would suck you in. We were just shaking. We continued cycling looking for a way out to the camino but it never came. After about 10kil I saw a big restaurant and said ”lets go in.” I saw a blue van outside and said “this van will takes us to right road (joking)There were a few people in there but did not seem to know how to get on to the camino. I said to the girl behind the counter. What is the name of this place. She hardly knew and I asked for a card. Lucky on the backwas a little map. This man said of course all in Spanish. “Do you want to go to the Camino.? Just follow me and off he went in the blue van. He stopped about 5kil down the road and said. “it is about 14 kil cross country to the Camino and all mountains.” I looked at him and said would he drives us and we would pay him. He said yes but did not want money. We threw the bikes in van and he droves us to Arzua. Of course we gave him 20 euros and had our photo taken with him.
I will report on the last stage tomorrow.
On next report I will have the credit card number and bank a/c. If anyone would like to donate to Justice and Peace and maybe put a comment on the blog about the pilgrimage that would be nice.. Liz is doing hers for Research Cancer and I will give her A/c number also
Love Mary and Liz
14TH AUGUST AVILES AGONY AND EXCTASY
ANNIVERSARY MY FATHER DESMOND BRENNAN
ROUTE OF THE CROSS SIVLER ROUTE (KATHLEEN, JOAN) NORTHERN ROUTE
YES WE ARE BACK ON THE NORTHERN ROUTE. KATHLEEN COULD NOT BELIEVE WHEN WE WERE COMING BACK FROM POTES (DONT KNOW NAME OF ROUTE) WE APPEARED ON THE SILVER ROUTE. YES SIGN FOR OVIEDA AND GIJON. All the memories came back of my cycle from Salamanca to Leon and backd to Valladoloid 2005. Funny I was doing it for Mission Maynooth Outreach wehich in turn was sending volounteers to India Haite and south america. Now I am doing it for Justice and Peace. Haiti
It is impossible to report daily diary as we cant get or do not have the time to internet. We try to do diary every night. I will try to high light some of the adventure. First I said to myself I know there is only two people who would do what we are doing (because of some days agony) that is my husband Val and friend vincent Crowley —-maybe ercus Stewart) Vin and Ercus did a very big challenge last Easter The Red Sea to Dead Sea also for Haiti. Liz and I were to do it but it did not work out for us. Val, vin Liz and I crossed Australia Perth to Sydney together. Tony rock was our back up in little camper. I dont think it was as difficult as this. Having said this we also have our exctasies. Dont mind my spelling as I am speaking nearly all the time in Espanol.
First I would like to thank Arthur for his warm words of encouragement in the beginning . He said you can do it Mary and big hug of Liz. I know it sounds crazy but this little word relly keep you going. Also Brendan from Liffey Sound. You know we do not listen enough to our local station. One morning at 5.Am I was going to the bathroom and my phone was charging in the hall. I had left my charger in Bilbao and I looked at the text and it was something funny from Brendan. I feel we know him and he always put a little of the old focal at the end,.
We are now in Aviles after finishing the routes of the above.
What a town.
The Northern route is older than the French route. but less trasvelled. It follows the Spanish Northern coast from the border with France and it goes along the Basque Country, Cantabria and Asturias to finally enter Galicia. It was one of the first pilgrimages when the Iberian Peninsula was still under the dominance oof the Muslims. It was already travelled in the 9th Century thanks to the protection that high mountain ranges (Cordillera, Cantabrica and Picos de europe) provided for the Christian pilgrims since the Muslim couldnt dominate the part of the Iberian Peniinsula between the mountains and the Northern Coast. Camiinosdel norte.com-webmaster @caminosantiagocompostela.com if you want to look it up. Do you know I could not gey a guide book in Dublin of the northern route. Everything is the French route. Ould guide book is in espanol which is tough. Must tell you, dont mind me running from Billy to Jack (i do it all the time) Yes when Liz and I came down from the Mountain (Santo toribio de Liebana) she said I am throwing away these boots and sending some stuff home. Well I said I am not throwing away my good boot. Lets go to the Correos and see what we can do. There we were in the middle of the floor all panniers strewn around and throwing everything into the big cardboard box. I said to the assistant.”do you think I should send my spanish dictionary home or do you think I could mange without it. ” He said no problema. that was nice. So Val await a great big package.
We met a lovely man while having desayuna, he had a dog and of ocourse liz was talking to him. He wanted to go to Fuente up the mountains for my mobile, I would not let him. We did not take his address, But something tells me I might receive it in the post. I am always lucky.
I did not tell you about coming down the mountain from the monastery. I dont know what happened me but night before. I said Liz I cant cycle downd that mountain in the morning. I would not mind the last one wasa 10 klm long and I will never forget it I tried not to look down at all but if I did I could see the road dead straight down on the hairpin bend. I think as Liz and I walked up to the monastery we were noticing things for example there was a caravan park there, This was my problem. anyway I seem to be calm on the morning and started from albergue. there was only 5 people there. Two walkers and another cyclist Dando from Italy. He was with us night before. Oh yes he had cycle 50Kil up and we met him at first. You should hasve seen him . Exhausted and there was not even a cup of tea at the top. I was afraid for him. He had to go down late to park for food. Anyway I came out to cycle down it had a little bit of flat so off I went . I heard Liz shout. Mary mary. I said. What the hell she screaming at me on a descent. I continued and noticed 3 horses and people coming up. I moved out.- Liz should- YOU ARE ON THE WRONG SIDE. Can you believe. We got to the end and just after us came two campers and a trail. Some one up there likes me. There is a lovely sign at the end in stone. A big Cross and Christian symbol. Also AYER YESTERDAY— HOY SIEMPRE ALWAYS. We had photos taken with Dando and off we went.
We went to Llanas and stayed in a lovely Hostal and relaxed a little. Next morning we set out for Gijon from the camino. It is so hard to stay all the time on it because of terrain. You do need a mountain bike. Some professor from Madrid told you not to start it and it was a very steep hill. We said to hell and walked up it no bother. I think because we were descending our lungs were getting better. Next it waqs I came across the ruta de La Plata. I could not believe it.
We got to Gijon. such beauty along the coast. Liz was feeling sick. It said to go to the playa for Albergue so we did. It was great, but no Alberge. the tourist office dont know too much about cheap accomadation. Oh yes the night before we stayed in (imagine cant remember (have in diary). It was a small hotel could not find accomodation anywhere. In the dining room the counter was a real boat and all the trimmings. It was so cute. Forgot to tell you. coming in to that town yes Bibadesilla all great and just before I got off bang another puncture. I wanted to cry I said no way am I fixing this tonight. I really felt down. We try to keep calm in these situations. We walked until we got the accomodation. It turned out a nice hotel 30 euro for night. We went to bike shop next morning and ended up having to fix the bike ourselves. Liz is really better at it than me. I would not mind the day before I had to get complete new brakes and pump.
Of we went to Gijon and this is what happened last night. We had to go back from beach about 5 kil and try and find alberqgue. I knew it was a youth hostel. Liz again not well and felt a bit weird about it. I did not want to pay dear again. The name was Palacio de Andrew. When we eventually arrived. It was a home for special needs people. We nearly died. The hospitalario was laughing when I gave my passport. Just before was another granny with her 16 year old grand daughter. By the way I had rung from a hotel on the beach to make sure we would get in. Liz said “· I am not staying. I did not either. I went back in and he said I would not get any where else. It was 7 euro for dinner. It was really a very old institution. We crawled up on windy stairs and in to dormitory. about 20 beds. I must said I love my silk liner. The special need people were being entertained and were screaming all the time. None of us slept the night.
We got up early and are now here. On entrance to Aviles we met a busker and he was playing the violin what a sound and irish tunes. Of course we stopped and he was english. He played the dance of the Holy Spirit for us. I felt very sad because of my dad anniversary. He said why not stay her but it will be hard to get digs. Believe it we got a lovely apartment We went for pension and ended up with this, What luck. The exctasy. We arranged to meet David for menu del dia in his favourite restaurante. He studied at Manchester college and Guild Hall and just did not want to go into an orchestra. He seems to love the Irish tunes. Here we are now. Whats ahead. We dont know. Our sights are on Coruna as it is so historic. Oldest light House in Europe. A Roman one.
I think you all had enough and until I write again. do Pray for us.
I hope people can donate through the bank to Justice and Peace. Have you a target. I know it is a beg. It is really what keep us going. Liz and I have such crack. There is one more thing. Crossing the boat at Sander we met a lovely girl cycling with her French boy friend. I told her we were doding it for charity. She said I am doing it for my mother and I am wearing her worn shoes. she died for cancer last year. When I walked away I just cried. She she such a lovely young girl and is going to study in Edinburgh next year Law she wants to work for human rights.
Adios Slan Liz and Mary
STUCK IN THE PICOS OF EUROPE 9th August
Comillas
How did this happen. Well we decided to do the Route of the cross .
We arrived in Comillas a beautiful medieval city in the mountains overlooking the sea. This is how it is all along the north coast of Spain. We are just intoxicated. After a lovely cycle from another city Santialla del Mar and going to vist the caves of Altmira, They go back 200,000 years. The beginnings of man. What was the highlight of here the art all the murals. All the animals. the people carved out the shape of the animals and painted them with the brown sand (ochre). Would want time to talk. Anyway after cycling about 50klm and having menu del dia we were on a high. We arrived in commillas and up up up up on cobble stone to the albergue and sat and waited to get in . People queue from morning to get a place. They only took 20 and we were turned away. I could get no where near. What will we do. We just got up on the bike and out of the town. Lucky we went out the other side and it was great. I said we will take first place. We saw a hotel and liz said go for it. I said no lets wait. funny when doing the pilgrimage staying in the alberques becomes part of it and you meet the others. We keep meeting different pilgrims and back again with the first one. Anyway we cycled away with a lovely breeze and next thing I saw and old battered signa albergue and come on. It was of course on the hill and all gravel stones. I left the bike and walked up. I saw a car come down. I said any room. she looked at me and was not keen. then she turned the car and went up and came back and said ok. The owner young guy brought me in to show the room. There were 10 bed and two vacant. No sheets or anything and he was so lovely. I said this is fine. We have lovely silk liner and sleeping bag. it was an old farm house. So many dags. They were lovely people. While we were having dinner they were out collecting eggs.
Cant write much more only we got on the road next day and on the Route of the Cross. There are tree stages and all in the mountains . We wallked over 30 klm such beauty. All so high so barren. We were with all the animals. Horses bulls, cattle hens you names it. Liz just loves dogs and so happy. We called St Francis of Assisi Day yes he walked I am nearly sure.
We did get a albergues in the wilderness all to ourselves . No shops there . Out of the blue came the gaurdian angel and drove us to the bare and we stocked up. When we got to Hostal would not get electricity going and had to eat in the dark. We were given shanks of spare ribs chicken huge lettuce from garden and grown tomatoes. of course vino. This is the real rome road through the mountains. We felt like them eating through the ribs.
Lucky to get this computer just went to hotel and asked could I use it.
Yes I have left my mobile phone in albergue. Please all send me your phone numbers as I have to buy a new one. Liz said she could do a dissertation on all the things I loose or mislay.
The mountains are so high around us and the river along side. This trip is like the agony and the extacy heaven and hell. We start to Potes in the morning for our trip to the Monastery of st Toribes. The biggest relic of the sacred cross is there. How we will get out only Gods knows and back on the Santiago Camino.
The Road to God Knows Where – 31st July
Portugalete
Recently an artist friend did a painting of me crossing the Iron Curtain 1989 on the bike. Funny, I met some people from Berlin in the Alberques . We were talking about the Iron curtain , they said there was not a whisper about it coming down. We were there in August and met some lovely people. They too were mesmerized when it came down. My friend Ann Behan RIP when leaving Bilbao said “sure we dragged it home with us.” This artist said to me he could not stop thinking when painting the picture, of the song The road to Gods no Where. This is the way I felt when leaving Bilbao on 31st July .
We left the hotel and crossed the tram lines to the river. How relaxing cycling for some miles down the prom with the Guggenheim Musuem on our left. The architect who designed it made it look like a hugh boat as if docked on the river. We were in such ecstasy that we kept cycling until we came to a dead end. This man stopped us and asked us were we going to Santiago, we said yes. He said get behind me and he drove in front of us for about 5 kil. It is well known on the Camino that people go out of their way to help pilgrims. We cycled until we came to Portugalete to a lovely church Virgen de la Mercedes. The mural on the walls of the inside of the church were all done by a famous painter from the town. We had to cross on a car ferry to the other side. You were going up the mountain on the other side. There was an escalator in the middle of the road and the people seemed to go up on it for miles. When we got off we continued up the Street and made our way out of the town on a lovely bike lane. Again so relaxing. When we got down to the end of the lane we started to descend down the mountain to a place called Islares. The views from the mountains down to the sea was some thing else. At this stage we were not staying on the Camino and said we would like to finish today on it. A man said the first kilometre would be very hard, all big bolders. We said to hell and off we went. What a kilometre trying to push the bikes over them of course walking and pushing them around 40 kilos. It was hell. We saw a family sitting on the rocks at the end. they were in awe at us and took our photo. oh yes on the way we saw the most beautiful white horse in a farm. I think I told you we are on the horse camino. We see so many horses along the way. I saw a photo of eight pilgrims who at the moment are on horses. I have not seen them yet.
The Route of the Horse – M. Ryan
Saturday – 31st July
We are just waiting to take off. funny After the two days rest how you wish to take off on the bike. Liz and I are now of one mind of the route. She really wanted to walk the French Way. I have done some of it and woud love to again. This time of year it is crazy and especialy being the Holy Year – month of August everyone is on holidays. As those who have Santiago Passports have the right to stay in the Alberques where you are not compelled to pay. A donation is asked. I know a lot of young people do it especially students at this time of year. One thing I like is my sleep. We had intended when finished to go back and do a bit of the walking. Unfortunately we brought our boots. Between the boots and sleeping bag we have too much weight. It would be lovely to have a backup. I guess this is the real pilgrimage.
The Santiago routes are really for walkers or people on horses. I know a woman who went with both her grand chidren and a donkey.
Our route today is the coast which is the route of the Horse.
Love Mary
Please Sponsor us – M. Ryan
Liz is doing her cycle for Breast Cancer Research and I am doing mine for St Mary’s Justice and Peace, Lucan for Haiti. It is what keeps us going.
Please pray for us.
