Some years ago I took a group on the Camino to Santiago de Compostela. We didn’t walk it all, nor ride bikes, nor horses, we were in a coach. But we had a great time walking sections of that pilgrimage route with the many thousands who do it each year. Today we had the opportunity to walk a small section here, close to where we are staying in Austria.
One of the amazing things is that all across Europe the journeys begin and the paths converge, like tributaries to a great river, a gathering stream of pilgrims. The Jakobsweg is what the ‘way’ is called here. But before we stepped on the path we went to a beautiful pilgrim church to celebrate the Eucharist. By chance the Gospel reading was the one I was quoting in my blog, about the way in which Jesus set his face towards Jerusalem. It was amazing to read that knowing that the purpose of our journey was the Passion Play.
Walking the lovely stretch of the Jakobsweg here, the sun beating down, the meadows looking resplendent was a real blessing. We were ‘pilgrims on a journey‘ and we loved it. Our walk ended where a chairlift took us too the top of one of the mountains where Jakob’s Cross is sited which looks down on the Way. It’s a monumental structure with a lift and stairs inside that deliver you to the top and spectacular views all around, including in the far distance the little church where we celebrated them Mass and the path that we had walked.
Then we ended the day in another pilgrimage church. This time it was the famous Maria Kirchental, way up in the mountains, a place of tranquility and miracles. This late 17th century baroque church is full of votive pictures given by grateful people who have asked Our Lady to pray for them, their family or someone in need. The image of Mary at the High Altar is known as Our Lady of the Goldfinch, for in her hand a Goldfinch has settled, a symbol of Christ’s passion because of the red on its head.
Many of the votives date back even before this shrine church was built. But the priest there was telling me that they keep being added to. At the west end we saw two recent ones – one of a man who survived being shot, another of someone who was rescued by a helicopter following a road traffic accident. It was humbling to see how this tradition of thankfulness continues.
In that sacred place we said the Angelus and remembered those worlds of Mary to the angel, ‘Let it be with me according to your word.’ (Luke 1.38)
The innocence and trust displayed by Mary is reflected so often in our own innocence and trust when we come to worship and simply and faithfully ask, knowing that every hair of our head has been counted and that not even a sparrow, or a goldfinch, falls to the ground without our Father knowing, and caring.
Jesu, mercy; Mary, pray. Amen.
LIVING GOD 
You must be logged in to post a comment.