Today’s pictures can be viewed here. Today’s prayer intentions: For the Deacons of the Diocese of Orlando, especially those newly ordained in June 2022.

Our journey this Monday, October 17th, began rather slow. We took yesterday off to rest and be able to go to mass in the town of Carrión de Los Condes. It ended up being providential for this day of rest because I was so sick I could not leave the room for the entire day. Lisa was at least able to go to mass and was great – serving me, bringing food to the room, doing our laundry, etc.

Thankfully today is a mild day of walking. The remnants of this chest cold is still with me but it is manageable. As we leave the city and cross the bridge we also encounter a large monastery of the Discalced Carmelites.

Most of the day was spent in silence and prayer as we walked the dirt/gravel paths of the meseta. There is a beautiful statue in the center of a roundabout that caught our attention. A pilgrim kneeling before the Holy Family. Reminding us that the saints in heaven are praying for us!

We met a man named John just after leaving the city. Turns out he is from upstate New York, from the same city which Lisa was born in. It’s funny that after saying hello sometimes people just simply open up and tell us their entire life story! We heard all about his marriage, children, the story behind when he got married, and why he’s now walking the Camino for the fifth time. It’s funny because he never asked us our names and we never had a chance to tell him. So we will just be the anonymous couple from New York. But we hope he will simply remember the love of Jesus as we walked with him in the Camino.

The rest of the day was pretty flat and there were many open fields. A little bit of rain and thankfully a mobile “Bar Oaisis” about halfway through this 10 mile leg for some fresh squeezed orange juice.

My thoughts during this time turn to my brother Deacons. Lisa and I prayed for them offering today’s Joyful mysteries of the Rosary for their needs, families, and ministry. I spent a lot of time quietly praying for each one of my brothers who were ordained with me in June.

When we reached the end of this stage we found a local bar / albergue to grab a drink and a snack. Since most of our photos today were of similar grain fields and gray skies.. Lisa decided to do an impromptu interview of me and she shared that on Facebook.

Hard to believe we are halfway through the walking portion of this Camino and that we have now been gone for about a full month. But the pilgrimage has been rewarding for our spiritual life and our marriage and friendship. If all goes well we should reach Santiago de Compostela by my birthday in November!

Buen Camino 🙏❤️

Today’s pictures can be viewed here. Today’s prayer intentions: For the Deacons of the Diocese of Orlando, especially those newly ordained in June 2022.