stricter rules

[Richard Lee]

I too have no idea what Lisa's answers would be.  I am not even sure what my
answers would be.  I was raised a Catholic, was in the preparatory seminary at
St.Charles at 13, lasted three years, left the church while I was in the army
during WW 2.  In fact the Army sent me to Fordham University in 1943 to study
Spanish and Spanish culture.  It's as if I have always known about the  Camino
although I must have learned about it in seminary or at Fordham studying with
Spanish refugees.  It's as if I have always wanted to walk the Camino, in or
out of the Church.  The call was there, is there.  It is something I feel
compelled to do.  If I could get out ot it , I would.  I was greatly encouraged
by a late 12th century poem cited by Lee Hoinacki in his El Camino: Walking to
Santiago de Compostella.  It is a poem praising the refugioat Roncesvalles.

                The door is open to all, sick or well,
                Not onlty Catholics, but pagans also,
                To Jews, heretics, idlers, the vain
                And... the good and the worldly , too.

This is Hoinacki's translation.  He adds, "The only test for entry is that you
appear to be on the camino, no questions are asked."  Since I tend to identify
with all these orders, qualities, and conditions, I am heartened by the poem's
message.  No questions.  The heart already knows the reasons.

I begin my journey in mid-May.

Peace.

richard e. lee


Maryjane Dunn wrote:

> Please be assured that my questions are out of pure curiosity, and are not
> meant to be in any way disrespectful...
>
> Why are you planning on going to Compostela for a "truly spiritual" reason,
> rather than going to another place, perhaps one related to your Jewish
> heritage?
>
> Why choose a highly organized religious pilgrimage, if you have a spiritual
> reason that has nothing to do with organized religion?
>
> Would being denied a credential (pilgrim's passport) lessen the impact of
> the journey?
>
> Would you be upset if the Catholic church denied you a credential (or a
> Compostelana at the end of the journey) because they have become more strict
> about the "rules" (not that I know they have, but the 2 stamps/day would
> indicate to me that they are trying to cut down on the frivolous tourists
> (or the non-walking "cheaters")).
>
> Your note fascinated me...
> Maryjane
>
> > Kind souls,
> > first of all, I am of Jewish heritage.  I do not go to church, belong to a
> > parish or a synagogue for that matter.  I am planning this journey for a
> > truly spiritual reason, which has nothing to do with organized religion.
> > Will I be denied a credencial in St Jean or Roncevalles?  Are
> > these "rules"
> > becoming more strict that they were in all the books i have read
> > so far about
> > this pilgrimage?
> > thank you
> > lisa
> >
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