Therefore, he experienced his own martyrdom in 44 A.D.
For Europeans, the road to Compostela is an internationally protected historical site, and includes the shrine. In 2013, my pastor in England walked the walk at the age of 50, and in honor of his 25 years as a priest. He shared the great physical travail of the walk, as well as the spiritual benefits.
I have one friend who was converted on the walk many years ago from a life of youthful sin and negligence of the Faith. I know another man who made the walk and did the long hard way of sleeping in barns, over thirty years ago.
America has no walking pilgrimages, which tells you something about the problem of religion here. Without cars, no one can go to the only two approved apparitions in the Americas, Guadalupe, and Our Lady of Good Hope, which you can read about here.
I would have loved to walk Compostela, but could not find anyone to go with me when I was able to do so. I would like to see the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Hope, but do not have a car, although I do have a license.
The lack of local shrines forms part of America's sad Low Protestant heritage, which has now crumbled into gross paganism. Without the sacramental life of the Church, religion fades into relativism and individualism--see my posts on the solas.
A pilgrimage is not a picnic or a vacation, but a walk, or ride, of penance. One goes on pilgrimage for many reasons. Some go to Lourdes to be healed. Some go to Fatima to be close to Mary and her words for these troubled times. Some go to Akita for prayer and reparation. Some go to Guadeloupe for petitions.
But, the lack of shrines in the States points to exactly the same trouble I am having, even in these obviously anti-religious times, of setting up a house of prayer.
American Catholics just do not believe in penance or sustained quiet. The cult of activity deadens their perception of finding God in the silence of smallness.
St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin and Adele Brise were simple people. Sister Agnes Katsuko Sasagawa is a simple, quiet nun in a simple, quiet order.
Pray for the house of prayer. Pray for people to come and to desire to do reparation for our world.
Mary comes in times of stress. Here are some of her words from Akita.
St. James, pray for us today.
"As I told you, if men do not repent and better themselves, the Father will inflict a terrible punishment on all humanity. It will be a punishment greater than the deluge, such as one will never seen before. Fire will fall from the sky and will wipe out a great part of humanity, the good as well as the bad, sparing neither priests nor faithful. The survivors will find themselves so desolate that they will envy the dead. The only arms which will remain for you will be the Rosary and the Sign left by My Son. Each day recite the prayers of the Rosary. With the Rosary, pray for the Pope, the bishops and priests."
"The work of the devil will infiltrate even into the Church in such a way that one will see cardinals opposing cardinals, bishops against bishops. The priests who venerate me will be scorned and opposed by their confreres...churches and altars sacked; the Church will be full of those who accept compromises and the demon will press many priests and consecrated souls to leave the service of the Lord.
"The demon will be especially implacable against souls consecrated to God. The thought of the loss of so many souls is the cause of my sadness. If sins increase in number and gravity, there will be no longer pardon for them"
"With courage, speak to your superior. He will know how to encourage each one of you to pray and to accomplish works of reparation."
"It is Bishop Ito, who directs your community."
(P.S.A friend of mine has never seen The Mission, The Passion of the Christ, or The Way. If any of you want to order these for me so I can show him these movies, please let me know, asap.)
More on the pilgrimage to Compostela may be found at this site.
More on the pilgrimage to Compostela may be found at this site.