Blessing for the Wallet

[Bernard MILFORD]

I was interested in the blessing on the Archdiocesan website which is a copy of
the old blessing from the Codex Calixtinus "Receive this pouch, have it for
your pilgrimage".  This made me realise that to actually posess a pouch would
have probably been a novelty for many of the people making the pilgrimage.  For
many of them it would have meant moving into a cash economy for the first time
in their lives.  Many people would have lived in their villages without having
to use money but found that they had to acquire it and use it when they were
pilgrims.

I don't think that would apply to many of us on the walk this year.