Our final stop on this tour took us to the hills outside Barcelona, to the Benedictine monastery of Montserrat, the site of the revered Black Madonna.
For centuries, Christians have travelled to the top of Montserrat to pray before the statue of the Madonna. Here they have sought solice and asked for divine favor. The Benedictine monastery is also one of the stops along el camino, the world-famous walking pilgrimage to Compostella. Pilgrims are welcomed every year by the Benedictines who call this mountaintop sanctuary home. The view from up here is absolutely breathtaking!
As if protected by and hidden within the moutain, the monastery offers sanctuary to passers by even as it provides a home to the 75 or so Monks who live here.
It's hard to believe that the place where we gathered to celebrate Mass on this day was only a small chapel, beside the main church, and en route toward the place were we could join other pilgrims in venerating the Madonna, even as we asked her to hear our prayers.
All too soon, it was time to make our way back down the mountain, and to prepare for the journey home.
So many stories to recount, so many adventures to be told, and always an invitation to give thanks for all that has been, all that is, and all that is yet to be.
For centuries, Christians have travelled to the top of Montserrat to pray before the statue of the Madonna. Here they have sought solice and asked for divine favor. The Benedictine monastery is also one of the stops along el camino, the world-famous walking pilgrimage to Compostella. Pilgrims are welcomed every year by the Benedictines who call this mountaintop sanctuary home. The view from up here is absolutely breathtaking!
As if protected by and hidden within the moutain, the monastery offers sanctuary to passers by even as it provides a home to the 75 or so Monks who live here.
It's hard to believe that the place where we gathered to celebrate Mass on this day was only a small chapel, beside the main church, and en route toward the place were we could join other pilgrims in venerating the Madonna, even as we asked her to hear our prayers.
All too soon, it was time to make our way back down the mountain, and to prepare for the journey home.
So many stories to recount, so many adventures to be told, and always an invitation to give thanks for all that has been, all that is, and all that is yet to be.
Thanks to God and you, Fr. Tony, for a great pilgrimage. And, thanks for your blog. I didn't know you were doing this as well as keeping us on the right path, on time, and together on this journey. Just like a good shepherd. God bless, Deborah (a Rose by another name).
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