black madonna

[Remi & Jen]

I have been to one Black Virgin site in Spain, it is located just west of
Barcelona at Montserrat.  It is approximately a one hour train ride from
Barcelona and is well worth the trip.  The mountain itself is visually
stunning and juts dramatically out of the landscape.  The translation for
Montserrat is Serrated Mountain, it is partially made of limestone and
therefore looks much like a mountain that Gaudi would have created.

It is a pilgrim site, and it is much busier up there than I ever could have
imagined.  Long lines out the basilica and well into the courtyard to touch
la morenata.  The statue of La Moreneta is said to be from the 12th century
and survivied Napoleons purge on the mountain.  It is all rather beautiful
and touching but it also a tourist machine, I think it is important to note
that.  My boyfriend and I were expecting solitude.. when we got off the
cable car that takes you up, there were buses galore, snap happy tourists
(like us), gift shops and museums.  However, it was still well worth the
visit and there are incredible views the higher you climb up the mountain.

One last thing that is well worth the visit.. the Escolania boys choir,
which are said to be the oldest in Europe sing twice a day.  Also on the
weekend there are castellers competitions, which are competing cities.


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-----Original Message-----
From: Road to Santiago Pilgrimage [mailto:GOCAMINOaPETE.URI.EDU]On
Behalf Of Helen Burns
Sent: February 7, 2003 4:49 AM
To: GOCAMINOaPETE.URI.EDU
Subject: black madonna


Hullo,

I've recently joined this list and plan to walk the Camino in September
this year with my partner. I live in Australia, a practising buddhist with
a catholic background. In my planning and preparation, the "less is more"
approach shines bright. It is this and the diversity of mind(s) on this
list, so far that I am enjoying on the road already...

On leaving stones and prayers along the way...  am reading at the moment an
article on Paganism and Christianity in Spain from
libro.uca.edu/mckenna/pagan1.htm which makes several references to the
significance of sacred stones. And also to the history of the drinking
fountains found in every town and city. Isn't it incredible how over
centuries and centuries there is somehow a continuum of faith and basic
human need that is addressed through simple acts, prayers or gestures. This
and a letting go of excess baggage, seems to me to be the essential spirit
of a pilgrimage.

Has anyone in their travels on the Camino come across the black madonna? I
have found numerous references to her in France and Spain and recently
visited her at Chartres but so far have found nothing specific to the milky
way. She has a mysterious history and to this day stories of miracles,
healing, compassion accompany many of her images.

I have been enjoying so much the tales and advice from all and especially
the personal encounters and surprizes and gifts along the way. Thank you
Barry for your recent story.

Ultreya

Helen