Roncesvalles church

[Polly Helm]

Thank you so very much for this poem, Rosina.  I will be making my first
trek this year from mid-May through June.
I thank every one here for all the useful and insightful information you
have given me. Because of your guidance, my preparation is going well.  It
seems that as questions pop up in my mind, they are almost instantly
addressed in this group.

I wonder, Rosina, about the Pilgrims' blessing in Roncesvalles.  How often
does the blessing happen, once a week, every day?  And are there other
ceremonies like this along the way?
Thank you,
Polly
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rosina Lila" <BlaroliaAOL.COM>
To: <GOCAMINOaPETE.URI.EDU>
Sent: Sunday, March 10, 2002 6:49 AM
Subject: Roncesvalles church


> 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 architecture, 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.
>