Roncesvalles church

[Stephanie Pierson]

Hola, Rosina.

I am not a particularly religious person but that "poem" is absolutely
beautiful.  I was very moved when I read it.  I can't wait to see (and
experience) it in person in May.

Gracias!

Stephanie

>>> BlaroliaAOL.COM 03/10/02 09:52 AM >>>
Hello you all,
A while back several pilgrims inquired about the poem that appears at
the
entrance of the church at Roncesvalles, where one receives the Pilgrims'
blessing at the start of the pilgrimage.  Rummaging through my
photographs I
found a picture of it.  It is not exactly a poem... (perhaps a prose
poem?).
well, here it is, accompanied by an attempted translation:

"Amigo que llegas a Roncesvalles
    quien quiera que seas....
te damos la mas cordial bienvenida.
Por favor, respeta esta iglesia
que ahora vas a visitar.

Piensa que mas alla de las maravillas
de su arquitectura, ES testimonio
de unos hombres que creyeron en Dios
y levantaron estas piedras para morada de Cristo
vivo en medio de los suyos.

Este es un espacio hecho para el silencio y la oracion.
El lugar en que se reune la comunidad
para celebrar la Eucaristia.

Dejanos pedirte que no turbes su recogimiento.
Permiterle ser para lo que fue hecho.

Contempla mas con el corazon que con los ojos
la belleza que crearon los hombres de otro tiempo.

Pero busca sobre todo en su penumbra
el discreto misterio de Dios
que se revela a los humildes......

Y a tu regreso que el gesto maternal
de la Virgen de Roncesvalles
te acompane siempre a lo largo del camino."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Friend arriving in Roncesvalles
    whoever you are.....
We offer you a warm welcome.
Please esteem this church
which you are about to visit.
Appreciate that beyond the marvels
of its architectur, it IS a testimony
of those who believed in God
and assembled these stones
as an abode of Christ, alive amidst His people.
This dwelling was made
for contemplation and prayer.
A place where the neighbors come together
to celebrate the Eucharist.
Let us request that you not disturb their devotion.
Contemplate more with the heart than with the eyes
the beauty that men of other times created.
But, above all, search in its quiet shadows
the discreet mystery of God revealed
to humble souls.....
And, on your homegoing, may the maternal love
of the Virgin of Roncesvalles
go with you every step of the way."


Warm regards,
Rosina
p.s., I find the contemplating with the heart more than the eyes the
"beauty
that   men of other times created" and the allusion to "humble souls"
very ,
very moving.



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