Camino Photo of the Day: the Washing of the Feet

The pilgrim Mass and blessing in the shabby little church of Saint-Georges de Lascabanes was, as you might suspect, a very “low church” affair, with no proper vestments and the readings done from a missalette. The priest was just as shabby as the church. He wore his stained alb over khaki clothes and trainers. No homily and absolutely no veneration of the Eucharist. He seemed entirely disengaged.

But then! He knelt down and washed the feet of every pilgrim crowded into that little church. There was a hiking group taking up all of the available space in the municipal gîte, and they were all there in the church. He was slow, methodical, and reverent in ministering to the pilgrims – quite a contrast to the way he celebrated Mass.

About an hour or so later, I passed him in the street and tipped my hat to him. He flashed me the biggest smile, the only one I’d seen on him.

Date: 05 September 2023
Place: Lascabanes, Lot Département, Region of Occitanie, France

Maps!