Via Lemovicensis: Blessings

This morning, I received my pilgrim blessing from my pastor at Saint Patrick, the Very Rev. David Mulholland. The last time he gave me this blessing, I was accompanied by my beautiful bride. Although she no longer walks the earth, I very much feel like she is walking with me on this pilgrimage.

I will carry with me the pilgrim shell she carried on her last few Caminos. Rather than being emblazoned with the Cross of Saint James, it carries the Franciscan Tau cross. It represents a journey never completed this side of heaven¹. I always thought that she carried this as a sort of pun on our names, but of course, she had a devotion to Saint Francis of Assisi, her name saint.

Perhaps not so coincidentally, today’s reading from the Holy Rule is this:

Chapter 50: Of Brethren Who Work a Long Distance from the Oratory or Are on a Journey

The brethren who are at work too far away, and cannot come to the oratory at the appointed time, and the Abbot hath assured himself that such is the case – let them perform the Work of God in the fear of God and on bended knees where they are working. In like manner let those who are sent on a journey not permit the appointed hours to pass by; but let them say the office by themselves as best they can, and not neglect to fulfil the obligation of divine service.

1. Source.