Day 221 - Yet another Camino gift.

Today I received yet another Camino gift. Coffee with a pilgrim.

And affirmation in abundance (yet again!), that the call of the Camino is something to be taken note of.

Ermanno Aiello walked his camino in April and May of 2007. Today, four years after the experience, he is still overwhelmed by emotion when he recalls some of the truly special moments he had during those weeks in Spain.

I feel truly blessed by these encounters that I have with people who have answered the call of the Camino and so graciously share their experiences and emotions. Ermanno wrote a book about his journey, entitled 'Forever a Pilgrim' and I finally got my own copy from him today.

He has very kindly allowed me to quote from his book, just like Tony Kevin did and I can't wait to share bits and pieces with you in the weeks to come.

Together with Jeremiah's journal, Ermanno and Tony's recollections and the updates I'm receiving from friends on the Camino right now, I almost feel as if I'm already there myself!

For now, I'd like to leave you with the prayer Ermanno shared with me today - it really is one of the most beautiful prayers I've ever heard and so representative of what I hope to bring home from my own camino.

Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

Where there is injury, pardon.

Where there is doubt, faith.

Where there is despair, hope.

Where there is darkness, light.

Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,

grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;

to be understood, as to understand;

to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive.

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

Amen