Gospel Reflection for the Third Sunday of Advent | December 16th

Gospel Reflection
The Bible in Dialogue with Questions of the Day:
Rejoice Greatly. The Lord is Near. Joy inspired evangelisation.

The Gospel (Luke 3:10-18): What must we do?

We are in the period of Advent, waiting for Christ’s coming, and the gospel reading for each of the Second and Third Sundays presents the person of John the Precursor, who first made Jesus’ coming known. John preached repentance. In today’s reading, he specifies for various persons who came to him what they should do to make their repentance real. He proclaimed that he was not the Messiah, a friend of the bridegroom who rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. “For this reason,” John the Baptist said, “My joy has been fulfilled” (John 3:29). Joy, rejoicing, has been a feature of the expectation of the future age by the prophets; it is a central message of the Gospels, from the Angels at Christmas, “good news of great joy for all the people” (Luke 2; 8), Jesus himself, and the early Church, as in today’s first reading. In the liturgy this day is designated, by reason of this reading, as “Rejoicing Sunday”. Reflection on today’s Gospel and the Baptist’s expression of joy invites us to reflect on the double theme of rejoicing and Gospel proclamation.

“Christian life, Christian joy, is witness that the Lord is near.”

These two are linked together by Pope Francis in his Encyclical Letter Evangelii Gaudium The Joy of the Gospel, 2013, an Apostolic Exhortation on the Proclamation of the Gospel in Today’s World, addressed to Bishops, Clergy, Consecrated Persons, and the Lay Faithful, all of whom in their own way are called on to proclaim the Gospel message with joy (253). The Pope addresses how each of these can, and should, be involved in evangelisation. We can make the following reflection here.

Today’s liturgy, Gaudete, “Rejoice” Sunday, is all about the joy and happiness that is intended to characterize Christian life. Christians should radiate joy, happiness, epikeikeia, gentleness, forbearance, understanding, based on the presence of God, of Christ, of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit that gives conviction of Christ’s victory and presence. Christian life is witness to all this. Just as, for Catholics, the Sanctuary Lamp is witness to the presence of Christ in the Eucharist, so is Christian life a sanctuary lamp to God’s presence, to God’s kingdom, on earth. Christian life, Christian joy, is witness that the Lord is near, that in Christ salvation, redemption, has come as God has willed it.

“The sanctuary lamp is an image of the light of the human soul.”

From the point of view of dialogue with questions of the day we may note that the terms divine presence and salvation are matters that a good section of our modern world rejects. There are those who seek a salvation for humanity without God or organized religion, in particular without the Catholic Church. Lanterns and lamps can be signs of God’s presence in the world, just as the Sanctuary Lamp is a witness to the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The sanctuary lamp can be an irritant for those hostile to what it stands for. Salvation without organized religion is a theme in the thought of the Russian writers, and nearer home in that of Tom Murphy. The Internet Wikipedia entry on Tom Murphy notes that “recurring themes in his writings include the search for redemption and hope in a world apparently deserted by God and filled with suffering”. It further notes the Murphy’s play The Sanctuary Lamp explores major themes of redemption, love, guilt, spirituality, and the existence – or non-existence – of God. In common with much of Murphy’s work, the play deals with the battle against nihilism and finds a form of redemption and hope in mankind’s ability to show compassion, love, and find an individual spirituality. The Lamp itself becomes an image of the light of the human soul unattached to dogma or religion.

Without reflection, many today prefer to go their own way through life without the light of the Gospel. It will be for all of us to be a sanctuary lamp of Christian hope and Gospel joy.

Fr Martin McNamara MSC

Ringing in the good news in Marx, Russia

We recently received a lovely message from Bishop Clemens Pickel in Saratov, Russia, where the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart provided funding for the repair and transport of a local church organ.

At the end of November, parishioners of the church of Christ the King celebrated the 25th anniversary of the church’s consecration, along with the blessing of the newly repaired organ.

The Christ the King Church, located in the city of Marx, was the first Catholic church to be built in Russia following the fall of the USSR. Construction began in 1990 and took a total of three years to complete, and today, this is a welcoming space for locals to come to pray.

The MSC Russian Mission began in 1995, when three MSC priests from the Irish Province travelled to Russia to aid in the re-building of the Catholic Church following the state’s anti-religious campaign. Our missionaries helped to establish the solid foundations of spiritual community in Russia, and the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart now provide support to the current organisations and lay leaders who continue the work begun by our MSCs over 20 years ago.

“We had a beautiful feast in Marx,” wrote Bishop Clemens Pickel, “where we celebrated 25 years since the consecration of the Christ the King Church and the blessing of the organ. Thank you to MSC Ireland!”

Thanks to the help of our mission friends in the Irish Province, the Christ the King community can enjoy music and celebration in their church once more as they embrace the religious freedom that was denied to the country for so long.

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Christmas Blessings: The Holy Family Entrustment Book

This Christmas, give the great gift of prayer with a Holy Family Entrustment Book from the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart.

Every year, we see piles of presents stack up under Christmas trees in homes across the country – and all too often, well-meant gifts are put aside and forgotten about in the excitement of the festive season, and are left to gather dust in the back of a cupboard or under a bed.

This year, why not give a gift that will last long after the crackers have been pulled and the decorations boxed away for another year? The Holy Family Entrustment Book is a wonderful way to remind loved ones they’re in your thoughts at Christmas, and throughout the year.

What is the Holy Family Entrustment Book?

The Holy Family Entrustment Book is a one-year enrolment in the Masses and prayers of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. The personalised prayer certificate is presented in a beautiful hand-crafted card with 3D embellishment. The specially designed eight-page card is filled with thoughtful prayers and reflections, and there is additional space for a personal message in each card.

What does a one-year enrolment involve?

Those enrolled in the Holy Family Entrustment Book are remembered in the Masses and prayers of our MSC priests for one year. This makes the Holy Family Entrustment a lovely and lasting gift to mark the festive season.

Can I enrol a friend or loved one in the Holy Family Entrustment Book for any occasion?

Enrolments in the Holy Family Entrustment Book are made for a variety of occasions, from remembrance of a loss to the celebration of a special life event.

Where can I get a Holy Family Entrustment Book?

Visit our Cards & Gifts section to order a personalised Holy Family Entrustment Book online. You can have your order delivered to your door, or we can send it directly to the person being enrolled. If you have any further questions, please feel free to get in touch with us by email at info@mscmissions.ie, or by phone on +353 (0) 21 454 5704.

This year, the feast of the Holy Family takes place on Sunday, December 30th. At this special time of year, we come to the Holy Family with our prayers and intentions, our hopes for the year ahead, and our gratitude for the blessings of the year gone by. Our Holy Family Entrustment Book is the perfect gift to share Christmas tidings and New Year wishes with those you hold dear.

Prayer is one of the greatest gifts we can give to those we love.

You can also enrol your loved ones in the Golden Book of the Sacred Heart,
or the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Blue Book.

Looking to the future at Our Lady of Victory, Tsakane

Great plans are in place for the community of Our Lady of Victory in Tsakane, South Africa.

Under the leadership of parish priest Fr Martin Morrissey MSC, the purchase of a new building for the community is in its final stages. This will then be developed into a church for the community, which currently numbers 60 and is growing steadily.

At the moment, parishioners gather together to pray in a small family garage. Space and facilities are very limited, but this doesn’t dampen their spirits! Irish Provincial Superior Fr Carl Tranter MSC was given a warm local welcome on his recent visit, and Fr Martin shared his enthusiasm for the new developments in the ongoing project.

“The people have been coming to pray here in a family garage,” says Fr Martin. “This new church won’t be the perfect thing, but it will be something of their own, and that will make all the difference.”

The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart are hard at work in Tsakane, a township near Johannesburg that was established in the 1960s. As is the case in many areas of South Africa, the population of Tsakane struggle with social and economic issues, with poverty being one of the main challenges faced in the region. “There’s a lot of poverty around,” says Fr Martin, “and we do our best to help wherever we can.” A feeding scheme at St Paul’s brings much-needed nourishment to local families, and our MSCs work alongside the Dominican Sisters in the area to bring practical aid and spiritual guidance to vulnerable families who have nowhere else to turn.

The new church will be a welcome boost to the community of Our Lady of Victory, and we look forward to following Fr Martin and his parishioners on their journey as they bring their plans to fruition.

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR MSC MISSIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Read more from Tsakane:
New beginnings at St Francis Xavier, Tsakane 
Greetings from Tsakane, South Africa! 

Heartwarming Christmas gifts from MSC Missions

Christmas is the season of giving, and what better way to celebrate than with a gift that gives back to the people who need it most?

Our wonderful selection of Christmas keepsakes make the perfect gift for someone special – and by choosing one of our festive gifts, you’re supporting the life-saving work our missionaries are doing across the world. From the provision of emergency aid in disaster zones to the care of sick children who have nowhere else to turn, our MSCs work tirelessly to transform lives in areas of real need. By choosing one of our Christmas gifts, you’re giving vulnerable families and communities a real reason to celebrate this festive season.

Explore our range of festive cards and gifts and bring Christmas joy to your home…

Delicately crafted angel ornaments inscribed with messages of peace and inspiration will bring a seasonal warmth to any Christmas display.

A beautiful nativity scene captures the essence of the Christmas season, with a message of peace and goodwill illuminated by an LED light.

Our lovely nativity candle displays the traditional manger scene – and the LED flickering flame means that you can enjoy its warmth, year after year, without having it burn away.

You can also choose from a range of elegant silver-plated jewellery, and find the perfect Christmas Mass Bouquet Card to send seasonal greetings to loved ones at home and abroad.

Whether you’re choosing a festive ornament for your own home, or sending a seasonal surprise to brighten a loved one’s day, you’ll find the perfect Christmas keepsake in our range!

This Christmas, please consider giving a gift that makes a difference. Your goodwill is a gesture that reaches far beyond the holiday season, and gives real and lasting hope to those in need.

BROWSE OUR CHRISTMAS GIFT RANGE

Remembering together at the MSC Light Up a Memory Mass 2018

On Saturday, November 24th, the Sacred Heart Church in Cork was aglow with the light of hundreds of candles, each flame commemorating a beloved soul who is now with the Lord.

Since our first candlelight memorial service in 2014, the annual Light Up a Memory Mass has become a much-loved tradition to close the Month of the Holy Souls, and this year’s Mass was another wonderful occasion for all involved.

From 6.30pm on Saturday evening, the Sacred Heart Church was a beacon of welcoming warmth in the winter darkness, with each candle burning brightly in celebration of lives and the memories of those we will always hold dear. This year, Fr Michael O’Connell MSC, Director of the MSC Missions Office, was the main celebrant of the Mass, with sermon by parish priest Fr Tom Mulcahy MSC. With a beautiful musical accompaniment led by Gerry and Deirdre Tuohy, this was a very special evening of reflection and remembrance to mark the ending of the month of remembrance.

“The church looked stunning,” said one parishioner. “It was so warm, inviting, and very appropriate for the occasion. It was also lovely to see so many MSC priests concelebrating Mass. It brought back nice memories for me.”

A “poignant and meaningful” evening of remembrance

The Light Up a Memory Mass is an opportunity for families to come together in prayer and remembrance each November. Bereavement touches us all and the service is a lovely way for families to remember together. “My son was very impressed with the celebration,” said another Mass-goer on the night. “He was delighted to bring a candle to the altar.”

We were glad to welcome familiar faces of old friends on the night, and we also had many visitors who come specially to celebrate the service with us. “It was a beautiful Mass,” said one. “The altar looked amazing, and the atmosphere was lovely.”

“It was a lovely ceremony – even if I only came upon it by accident on the way home!” said another attendee on the night. “My dad passed away late last year, so this was very poignant and meaningful for us.”

We also welcomed viewers from all over the world on our live stream, as hundreds tuned in to watch the Mass live and take part in this beautiful memorial. “That was lovely,” said one online viewer. “I’m so glad I got it!”

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all who took part in this year’s Light Up a Memory celebrations, in the Sacred Heart Church and beyond. It was a truly special evening of reflection and remembrance for all involved.

The MSC Message: Winter 2018

Welcome to the Winter edition of the MSC Message!

• Read all about MSC Missions at the World Meeting of Families 2018.

• Catch up with the latest news from the mission fields, with updates from our ongoing projects in South Africa and the Philippines.

• Find out about this year’s Jubilee celebrations in the Irish Province.

• Read a special winter message from Fr Michael O’Connell MSC, Director of the MSC Missions Office.

• Walk the Camino de Santiago with Fr Alan Neville MSC and the MSC Vocations Team.

Reads the MSC Message Winter 2018

Share some festive cheer with MSC Christmas Mass Bouquet Cards

Remind family, friends, and loved ones that they’re always in your thoughts this Christmas with a beautifully designed Mass card from the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart.

In an age of email, text, and social media, it’s something special to find a surprise popping through the letterbox, and never more so than at Christmas time. Whether you’re sending festive greetings to friends and family you see every day, or reaching out to loved ones around the world, our Christmas Mass Bouquet cards are a wonderful way to let those you hold dear know that you’re thinking of them at this special time of year.

Each card is designed with care and brought to life with stunning gold highlights and embellishments. Cards can be ordered individually, or in sets of five, with a selection of different designs to choose from. Every card contains a thoughtful blessing and is signed by MSC Missions Office Director Fr Michael O’Connell MSC for inclusion in our annual Christmas Triduum of Masses in December.

Don’t forget, when you choose to send one of our Christmas Mass Bouquet Cards, it is far more than a kind festive gesture. Your support helps us to continue bringing the gift of hope to vulnerable families and communities across the globe, at Christmas and throughout the year. While we celebrate in the warm embrace of home and family this festive season, our MSCs are continuing their work in regions of extreme poverty and hardship, bringing vital aid to people who have nowhere else to turn – and every order we receive makes a real and valuable difference.

The best Christmas gifts can’t be wrapped in a bow – capture the true spirit of Christmas and give the gift of prayer to your loved ones this year.

MSC Christmas Mass Bouquet Cards are available to order online, and from our MSC Missions Office on the Western Road in Cork.

A lovely range of Christmas gifts is also available.

BROWSE OUR RANGE OF CHRISTMAS MASS BOUQUET CARDS

New beginnings at St Francis Xavier, Tsakane

A project that began two years ago is now nearing its final stages of completion at the church of St Francis Xavier in Tsakane, South Africa. Parish priest Fr Martin Morrissey MSC is leading the project, which sees a new church put in place for the growing congregation.

A township located just outside Johannesburg, the name “Tsakane” actually translates as “happiness” or “joy”. As is the case in many parts of South Africa, however, Tsakane struggles with significant social and economic issues, and our MSCs are on hand to provide practical aid and spiritual guidance to the local communities.

The congregation of St Francis Xavier are delighted with the development of the new church, having previously gathered to pray in a school classroom. Getting the site was a huge achievement, with the titles handed over just over a year ago, and new church is growing, step by step. An altar and sanctuary area have been set up, and the windows have been put in, while a new ceiling still has to be put in place.

Fr Martin and the community are working hard to bring their plans to fruition, although the budget is tight. Fr Martin was able to source benches from another church around 80km away, acquiring 28 church benches for 50,000 South African Rand (approximately €3,500). The same benches would have cost 300,000 Rand, or around €18,500, if they had to be bought new.

The community of St Francis Xavier now numbers over 100 people, and is growing steadily. In October, parishioners enjoyed a day of great celebration when a total of 27 adults celebrated the sacraments of Baptism, Communion, and Confirmation.

On a recent visit to Tsakane, Irish Provincial Superior Fr Carl Tranter MSC visited with Fr Martin, and was welcomed with open arms by the parishioners of St Francis Xavier. Fr Martin and the community extended their sincere thanks to all of our mission friends in the Irish Province for their ongoing support, and we send our very best wishes to them as they approach the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the church of St Francis Xavier!

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR MSC MISSIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Loreto Rumbek: The challenges of school holidays in South Sudan

While many children all over the world look forward to the school holidays with anticipation and delight, this is not always the case in regions where an education is not something students can take for granted, and school days can often bring a welcome break from the difficulties of home life. When they are not at school, many students of the Loreto schools in Rumbek, South Sudan, might only have as little as one meal in five days during the dry season.

The Loreto Rumbek blog shares some of the challenges that their students encounter when they are not at school, from hunger and hardship to the threat of not being able to return to their education.

School Holidays and the challenges they bring to our students

Child education for girls is an efficient strategy for breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty and lifting families and communities from a place of marginalization. Thousands of girls are kept from school due to poverty, financial constraints, early marriage and conflicts in some areas in South Sudan.

For the lucky ones, their parents send them to school despite the challenges, not only as a chance to improve their futures, but also to boost the family’s fortunes.

When Loreto Girls Secondary School breaks for holidays, the students have the chance to spend time with their families and relax from their studies. At the end of the short vacation students and staff alike return and press on together, as the Loreto family.

Some of the students come from far away places and the roads are poorly constructed and insecure, so the school hosts them over the holidays. During this time, the girls are provided with more freedom with school facilities to encourage them not to miss being home and also to enjoy the break. They get ample time for activities like volleyball, watching movies, singing, and dancing together.

But, they also do some work while here. In the morning hours, the girls are given some light tasks to perform. They earn a small stipend in return, which helps them purchase a few personal items. For those students who are in greater need of some extra money, for school fees or shopping, they are given specific jobs to perform.

As Collet explains, “I enjoyed the holiday at school. I also communicated with people from home so I don’t miss home much. I did some little work and got some money which I used to buy soap and some other things. We also spend time with the other students harvesting groundnuts and making the school a better place for us like cleaning the compound. We relaxed as we enjoyed stories and movies after.”

Healing Programmes

They enjoy the stay and also have the chance to share life experiences and stories in groups of peers. With guidance from one of the school nurses, Nicole Hess, a group of girls attended a five-day trauma healing program. One of the goals was to help them learn how to manage their emotions during hard situations that directly affect their life, like forced marriages.
They also learn about suffering, grief, forgiveness, and resilience. It’s a spiritually based program that teaches them to carry their burdens and suffering to the cross. It emphasizes that full healing can only come from God.

For those at home, the stay may not be that easy and the holiday can come with challenges. Some of the girls have to work hard to afford transport back to school and for personal effects. Others face threats of forced marriage which is a major challenge. They have to advocate for their own education with the hope of coming back to continue learning, so as to be ambassadors of hope to the larger society.

With the holidays comes uncertainty

According to Hellen Agapic of Senior Three, “My holiday was a bit tough this time. My younger sister is 14 years of age and was forced to get married to a man who has 12 wives. My sister told me if she’s forced to marry that man she will go to hiding. School has taught me the disadvantages of early marriages so I advised her not to accept. My father wanted cows to pay for the crime my brother committed. My father told me I will not go to school because I advised my sister not to get married or he will take me to the prison or I will also get married. I convinced my father to allow me to continue with education so as to have a bright future. When Sr Orla knew about it, she sent someone to talk to my father to allow me to come to school and he accepted.”

This is just one case. Although most of the girls report back to school, sometimes Loreto may lose a few students that do not return. It is always a risk when the girls go home that some may be forced to get married, having no choice but to succumb to this fate. Currently Loreto has many girls trying to attain their education.

The hope is that one day all young women in South Sudan will not only have the opportunity to go to school, but will supported and encouraged to pursue their education.

The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart are proud to support the wonderful work done by the Loreto Sisters for the young women of South Sudan.
For more photographs and further information about Loreto Rumbek, read the original blogpost, or visit their Facebook page.
You can also find out more about how MSC Missions work with Loreto Rumbek – and how you can help to make a difference to the young women of South Sudan.

A Candlelight Memorial: Light Up a Memory Mass 2018

During the month of November, we take time to remember specially loved ones who have gone before us, and whose memory still burns brightly in our hearts and minds. Every year, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart mark the end of the month of the Holy Souls with our annual Light Up a Memory Mass, a beautiful candlelight service that celebrates the memories of those we hold dear.

Each November, we invite our mission friends to send the names of their dearly departed for remembrance, and this list is kept on the altar throughout the month as we pray that they are granted peace in their eternal rest. This time-honoured tradition is a source of great comfort and solace, and the annual Light Up a Memory Mass is a wonderful way to mark the end of this month of remembrance.

On this special night, the Sacred Heart Church will be a beacon of welcoming light in the winter darkness, illuminated by the glow of hundreds of candles. With uplifting choral music and prayerful reflections, we come together to pray by the glow of candlelight, with each flame burning brightly in memory of those whom we have lost.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to remember those who are no longer with us,” says Fr Michael O’Connell MSC, Director of the MSC Missions Office. “The light of a candle is a welcome sight on a dark winter night, and each of these flames is a beautiful symbol of remembrance in honour of the loved ones who are always in our thoughts.”

All are welcome to take part in this year’s ceremony on Saturday, November 24th at 6.30pm. Tune into our live stream to watch this year’s Light Up a Memory Mass live, along with all of the Masses for the Holy Souls throughout the month of November.

If you would like more information about our Light Up a Memory Mass, please contact the MSC Missions Office by phone on 021 4545704 or by email at info@mscmissions.ie.

Fr Michael’s Camino Diary: Day 5

In September, MSC Missons Office Director Fr Michael O’Connell MSC walked the Camino de Santiago for the first time. Walking approximately 113 km over five days, Fr Michael undertook the final stage of the Camino Francés, or the French Way. Here, he shares his daily diary with thoughts and reflections from the Way.

Sunday, September 30^th
Pedrouzo to Santiago
Distance: 19.8 km

“On the final day of my Camino journey, I was on the road at 5.45am, beginning my day in the darkness. I found myself walking through the darkness into the light, and realised just how important the light is to us.

That last morning, I set out before dawn; the sun didn’t rise until around 8.00am, so I was walking through the darkness for over two hours before the light dawned. That two hours meant I didn’t just walk from darkness into light, but through darkness into the light, and that makes all the difference. It put me in mind of aiming for a goal, any goal in life. Say your goal is to get married, and you’re planning a wedding. It will be a wonderful celebration, but you have to go through a certain period of preparation, often a period of challenges and struggles, to get there. For me, that day, my goal was to reach Santiago de Compostela, but it wasn’t just a matter of leaving in the morning and getting there easily. First, I had to make my way through the darkness and get through the period of struggling before I could reach that ultimate goal.

In that period of darkness, I often found myself walking in the light of others who guided my way. Because I didn’t have a torch myself, I would walk behind somebody else who had a torch or a headlamp, and they would safely guide my path. Once again, a reminder to us to be thankful to those who light our way in life in those times of darkness and confusion, and the light of the Lord that guides us safely home always.

That morning was also a lesson in taking stock. I was following a couple who were walking ahead of me, when they stopped to take a photo. They told me to turn around, and when I did, the most glorious sunrise was taking place over my shoulder. If I hadn’t stopped to look back, I would have missed the whole thing – and what a fitting way to start the final day of the trip.

The last walk took me to Mount Gozo. Here, pilgrims get their first glimpse of Santiago. You can see the spires of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela all the way from here, and it is wonderful motivation to press ahead and jump the final hurdle.

One thing that really struck me along my journey was the abundance of little shrines that punctuated the roadside as I walked. This was particularly evident as I neared my final destination. People leave broken shoes, stones they’ve carried, and their own personal petitions, written down. They also leave photographs of themselves for other to pray over. It’s a poignant reminder of all who have gone before us, and the burdens they carry along the way – and hopefully, the peace and resolution they have found at the end of their journey.

On entering Santiago, a tunnel leads pilgrims into the town square, where relief overcomes weariness and celebration is the order of the day! Here, I queued for just under an hour with other pilgrims to collect a certificate to say that I had completed the Camino.

I ended my Camino experience with the Pilgrims’ Mass at the Cathedral, which is reputed to be the resting place of St James. Throughout the Mass, you can see pilgrims and tourists climbing the steps behind the altar to rub the saint’s head.

Everybody treats the experience with due respect and reverence, and the Cathedral itself is a sight to behold – especially the botafumeiro, the 1.5-metre-high thurible that dates back to 1851 and is so heavy that it takes eight men to operate it.

And so ended my Camino journey. There was a great sense of relief for me – yes, I could actually walk that distance. Yes, that I could once again do what I used to do in my youth, sleeping in hostels with the minimum of equipment. Along with this came the renewed awareness of how little we need to survive, or how little we can survive on, and that is something I hope to take home with me.

Would I do it again? Without a doubt! Next time, however, I might try coming from a different direction, perhaps the Portuguese Way… Until then, Buen Camino!”

Read more of Fr Michael’s Camino diary:

Fr Michael’s Camino Diary Day 1

Fr Michael’s Camino Diary Day 2

Fr Michael’s Camino Diary Day 3

Fr Michael’s Camino Diary Day 4