El Camino de Santiago Termina

We arrived at Santiago de Compostela yesterday early afternoon, on a beautiful, sunny Lord's Day.  After walking for ten days a total of 154 miles (336,627 steps), it was a powerful experience to enter the Cathedral of St. James and venerate the relics of the Great Apostle to Spain.  Upon entering the cathedral, the pilgrims process up to the statue of St. James in the sanctuary above the altar, and embrace the saint.  Everyone is silent and it is very moving.  Then we proceed down to the crypt, and kneel before the tomb of St. James in prayer.  It was a very emotional moment for me.  We then went to the pilgrimage office to get our "compostela," the stamp that certifies that you have walked El Camino de Santiago.  You are given a parchment with an inscription in Latin.  After cleaning up and getting some food, we went to the pilgrim's Mass where I was able to concelebrate.  Another powerful moment for me was during the consecration, when Our Lord became truly present on the altar, and a few feet behind me were the bones of St. James, one of his closest disciples.  The pilgrim's Mass was one I will never forget.  We will go to another pilgrim's Mass today, and then have a tour of the Cathedral.  Thank-you, St. James, for guiding us on El Camino.  Keep us always on the Way to Jesus.