[Gocamino] Pilgrimage completed.

[Rosina]

"He has arrived, at last, Compostela in hand, and has been greeted by the Apostle with a walking stick sprouting flowers." 

With these words the Dean of the Cathedral, Jose Maria Diaz,  concluded a homage to Don Jaime who died a few days ago. Some of you may remember Don Jaime as that indefatigable friend and supporter of Santiago pilgrims.
While he started his vocation as a humble priest, his talents caught the attention of ecclesiastical authorities and in time he was posted to the highest reaches of the Zaragoza and Terragona Archbishoprics, and served in national ecclesiastical offices. But, homesick for his native Galicia  he returned to the province as a working priest and a college professor eventually creating the Pilgrims' office and its facilities as it is today.  While much esteemed and liked by pilgrims and those working on their behalf, because of his prodigious energy and his unfailing good mood, he became a bit of a nuisance to the governmental authorities with his relentless search for funds for albergues, for salaries for the pilgrims' office workers, etc. (Nevertheless, the municipal authorities attended his funeral services en masse).
Some of you may remember that Don Jaime suffered a disabilitating stroke about five years ago, and while for a while he was able to participate in the celebration of Mass, he never regained full movement or speech, although he managed to smile when one greeted him as a pilgrim.
Those pilgrims who enjoy the relative comfort of Belvis, Monte del Gozo and the Casa del Dean, should raise a glass to his memory.
Rest in peace and happiness, Don Jaime, and a million million thanks!