The Retreat at the End of the World

 These two days at Finisterre have been somewhat of a retreat. It's been time to do some of the reading, praying, thinking and journalling which I thought I would get done on the Way, but didn't. To stop. To not need to go anywhere. To not just be at peace, but also to be still.  

It's been time to turn my heart to home, which for me includes starting to read the scripture readings of the upcoming Sunday Masses, to let them start to percolate in me, so that I can prepare a homily next week and then for the weeks ahead. 

It's also been a nice step down from the intensity and busyness of being part of a group, always on the move, to having just one other person around, to then going home on my own. Josh and I gave each other plenty of time and space yesterday to do our own thing, each of us in more reflective mode, before meeting up in the afternoon for a long awaited swim and then dinner. 


Admittedly, not great swimming weather. Finisterre is 42 degrees north and on the west coast wtih mountains to the east, so it is very much the climate of western Tasmania. Rain and fog are constants here, even in summer, and apparently winter is just miserable. 

But Josh and I swam in a chilly river on the day we met a couple of weeks ago, and so it was a nice coda to finish up with a swim here too.  

But this too is not quite the end. We're about to head back into Santiago for our flights tomorrow; me to Madrid - Dubai - Sydney, and Josh to Hanover Germany for the next chapter of his gap-year world travels. And there's one more thing we each need to do which we didn't get to do two days ago due to time constraints: the Pilgrim Mass in Santiago Cathedral. 


Comments

  1. Anonymous30 September 2024 at 03:34

    Well done Fr Jim so exciting for you to do the Comino walk I'm sure this trip will be an everlasting memory for you . It's been a great achievement for you. Glad you met
    new friends to accompany you on your journey. Have a safe trip home. Really enjoyed reading your blog. God Bless. Mary McGee

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dominic Philippa30 September 2024 at 04:21

    Your retreat sounds like a wonderful place to go emotionally and spiritually while leaving the body to rest. The new Jim will emerge from the Camino Chrysalis ready to take on the challenges of the next season of life.
    Enjoy the pilgrims mass.
    D

    ReplyDelete
  3. Treysia30 September 2024 at 14:56

    You did it! and faced all the challenges the Camino presents! Congratulations Fr Jim!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous30 September 2024 at 21:10

    Congratulations on doing something that very few can or will ever do, Fr Jim. Have a joyful and safe journey back to your flock here in Carlingford. 🙏✈️

    ReplyDelete

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