Pilgrimage

[campeador]

See you there. Buen Camino!

I first heard of this pilgrimage as a young man reading the Chronicle of the Cid:

VIII.
Now the history relates that King Don Ferrando contended with King Don Ramiro of Aragon for the city of Calahorra, which each claimed as his own; in such guise that the King of Aragon placed it upon the trial by combat, confiding in the prowess of Don Martin Gonzalez, who was at that time held to be the best knight in all Spain. King Don Ferrando accepted the challenge, and said that Rodrigo of Bivar should do battle on his part, but that he was not then present. And they plighted homage on both parts to meet and bring each his knight, and the knight who conquered should win Calahorra for his Lord. Having ratified this engagement, they returned into their own lands. And immediately Ferrando sent for Rodrigo of Bivar, and told him all the matter as it then stood, and that he was to do battle. Well pleased was Rodrigo when he heard this, and he accorded to all that the King had said that he should do battle for him upon that cause;** but till the day arrived he must needs, he said, go to Compostella, because he vowed a pilgrimage**; and the King was content therewith, and gave him great gifts.

books.google.com/books?id=pNsXAAAAYAAJ&dq=Campeador&printsec=frontcover&source=bl&ots=j7mIstLvHn&sig=aNRr3EJHLW1YaeLmjYU5uYg4VdA&hl=en&ei=Jaf3Sey9D4rCM-DhxLUP&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

[VivienneJ]

The Site of Fatima (Our Lady of Fatima) Apparitions – I’m especially dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima

I’d love to go to Fatima, my daughter has married into a Portuguese family, and three members of the family recently had to travel to Portugal (and Madeira) to settle some business following a family death. They included a visit to the Site of Fatima in their trip.

If I could, I’d also love to see Jerusalem, but also especially, the Sea of Galilee and Bethlehem, and the site of Nazareth.

I’m hoping to visit Israel in July. I have seen the Sea of Galilee from Umm Qais (Gadara) in Jordan, and it was awesome, although far away. Also saw across the Jordan River to Jericho, amazing when my guide said, “You see that city there, that’s Jericho”. When staying at the hotel on the Dead Sea, I could see the lights of Jerusalem at night.

I also want to go to Lourdes and the Holy Land.

To the Holy Land during Lent and walk the steps of Jesus on Good Friday.

If you do go to Israel, consider also a couple of days in Jordan. The site of Jesus’ Baptism is there; Mount Nebo, from where Moses saw the Promised Land. There is also the ancient city of Petra.

So, to answer the question: Fatima, Lourdes and Israel. Who I would like to have with me? Well, my daughters and grandchildren would be wonderful. I’m afraid that Israel, like Jordan will probably be me alone; but Fatima, I may just be able to join family on that one.