<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><FONT SIZE=2>Hello you all,<BR>
The Camino Friends Association in Seville was abuzz with information about the Santiago Archdiocese proposed changes regarding the Santiago Cathedral and increased attention to pilgrims; apparently some of the changes are already under way in anticipation of the large numbers of pilgrims that arrive in Santiago during July and August; more significant, and notable, changes are expected in anticipation of the next Jacobean Holy Year, next year, during which the largest number of pilgrims <I>ever</I> are expected in Santiago.<BR>
The changes are meant for the protection of the Cathedral and the consideration meant for pilgrims, as distinguished from tourists.<BR>
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1. The Cathedral. Apparently the many centuries and the millions and millions of pressed hands, foreheads, etc., have already damaged some of the priceless works in the Cathedral, such as the Portico de Gloria and the surrounding statues. Reportedly these works will be, literally, beyond the direct touch of the Pilgrims. and there will be no more putting our hands in the hollow of the Portico de Gloria where untold millions and millions of other hands have left an indelible indicia of their touch. Nor will there be any more butting foreheads with the statue of Maestro Mateo in the hope of obtaining some of his genius by osmosis; they have found some fissures in the head of the statue itself, presumably caused by the enthusiastic forehead-to-forehead kiss of so many of us. (I plead personally guilty to such activity and enthusiasm.) -By the way, the famed sculptor and architect Pedro Peregrino, of Portomarin fame, was Maestro Mateo's father.<BR>
The Archdiocese has not yet decided whether to put the image of the Apostle on the main altar behind reach of our embrace; seemingly some damage has come to the image despite its protective metal cape.<BR>
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2. Religious services. It has been decided to restrict entrance to the Cathedral, and movement within it, during religious ceremonies such as Mass, the Rosary or devotions to the Holy Sacrament. The first thought was to achieve a modicum of respectful silence by having guards impose it, as it is done at St. Peters in Rome. St. Peters, however, is huge and it can count on all the resources of the Vatican; it now appears doubtful that such procedure can be successfully implemented at the relative small, quite small-, Santiago Cathedral, and they might need to close the doors altogether during religious services.<BR>
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3. Pilgrims' Mass A new Mass for pilgrims will be added at either 7:00 a.m. or 8:00 a.m. The heretofore noon Pilgrims' Mass is so convenient for day tourists, and others, that pilgrims are effectively crowded out; although only pilgrims with a filled-in passport are admitted in the closed-out space around the altar, that space is simply too small. The timing of the new Pilgrims' Mass is meant to provide pilgrims with some time to rest upon arrival at Santiago and to allow them to find accommodation in the albergues. The Monte Del Gozo albergue (being enlarged), for instance, does not begin to accept pilgrims until 1:00 p.m. A pilgrim cannot possibly be expected to attend the noon Pilgrims' Mass and then run to the albergue, 4 up-and-down kilometers away, in time to find a bed. Although the Archdiocese and the Xunta are planning new albergues, there do not appear to be suitable sites therefor close to the Cathedral. <BR>
Another point being discussed about the proposed new Pilgrims' Mass concerns the ever-popular Botafumeiro which has come to signify a welcoming recognition of the achievement of the pilgrims -as a form of Jacobean TeDeum, it seems- at least during the month of August. The only consensus, so far, is that the Botafumeiro will come out only once a day.<BR>
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5. Readings at Mass. As those of you who have attended a Pilgrims' Mass know, only pilgrims read those Evangelical readings which may be done by a lay person So far this has been done only by Spanish speaking pilgrims, which has excluded those non-Spanish speaking pilgrims who may have come from as far as Holland. The new proposal is to have the readings done by any pilgrim, in her or his language, followed by a translation if need be. It is true, as we all know, that the monks in the Roncesvalles pilgrims' blessing address us in several languages, and that the priests in the pilgrims' masses along the way, like Santo Domingo de la Calzada, Astorga, Burgos, Leon, etc., address and welcome us in various languages; but the reading pilgrims in the Cathedral have only been Spanish-speaking ones. This will change. (In all fairness I should add that one time, after hearing me speak in Spanish, the two nuns who select the reading pilgrim asked me to do it. Alas! I was overcome by emotion and concerned about my accent and declined the honor, a timidity which I have regretted to this day. If they should ever ask me again I will most certainly do it, I think).<BR>
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6. The credential. The Archdiocese is urging the uniform use of the credential which they, and churches and Friends Associations in Spain dispense (the brownish, accordion type, with the staff, gourd and shell on the front). Although the French may not want to part with the one they use, it is not farfetched to expect that someday there will be only one credential; after all, the European countries in the EU have accommodated to the use of a uniform currency, the Europe, and the uniform appearance of the paper money quite nicely. <BR>
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That is all I remember right now. <I>Please, </I>do remember that I am only reporting what I learned; you needn't write me to criticize or laud the proposals; if however, you have some substantial suggestions that you would like forwarded to the Archdiocese, I'll be happy to translate them, if need be, and send them on.<BR>
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Warm regards,<BR>
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Rosina<BR>
p.s. I've been getting a lot of private e-mail about the Via de la Plata; as soon as I have some time, in a day or so, I will e-mail a general reply. <BR>
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