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Dear Father dela Cruz,<br>
Having walked some of the Camino and observed many bicyclists, I wonder if
you would consider walking at least some of the way. Perhaps it's because
I don't cycle, but I think you would experience the benefits of the Camino
more fully if you were closer to the earth. You would meet more people along
the way, and you'd be at a slower pace. There are parts of the Camino where
bicyclists have to use the highway and miss some of the more challenging
paths. Perhaps other cyclists and walkers could share their thoughts. Lydia<br>
<br>
vicente n dela cruz wrote:<br>
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<div>Dearest Friends of the Camino,</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Greetings and salutations. First of all, I am pleased to share this
very important news to all of you. In an interview with Catholic News Service
(Warsaw, Poland) yesterday, January 21, Archbishop Julian Barrio of Santiago
de Campostela announced that with the approval of the Holy Father, Pope
John Paul II, this year (2004) is declared a HOLY YEAR for the Shrine of
Saint James of the Galicia, a.k.a., Santiago de Campostela. The Holy Year
celebration coincides with the enlargement of the European Union. The Pope
referred to Santiago de Campostela as "the spiritual heart of Europe". Deo
gracias! </div>
<div> </div>
<div>My name is Very Reverend Vicente DeLa Cruz, a Roman Catholic Priest
and the Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, Louisiana. I am
40 years old and have been a priest in this Diocese for 13 years. I am a
native of the Philippines and now a citizen of this great country. Since
my ordination to the Priesthood, I have organized and led groups of Pilgrims
to the Holy Land, Italy, and just recently to Europe (Portugal, Spain and
France). One of the highlights of our recent pilgrimage was visiting Santiago
de Campostela that completed my personal tour of the ancient pilgrimage
sites, viz., Jerusalem, Rome and Santiago.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>On the occasion of my upcoming 15th year anniversary of ordination
to the priesthood in 2005, I asked my Bishop for permission to take a 5-month
sabbatical commencing in May to September 2005. Compared to normal and typical
sabbatical programs, I told my Bishop that I would like to do the "Camino
de Santiago" on a bicycle, starting from Plymouth, U.K. all the way to the
Shrine. To make my journey more meaningful, I have volunteered to raise
funds for a local cause, programs of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development
(CCHD) to end poverty in America, in our own backyard. I intend to get our
local people to pledge dollars for every mile I will cover on the Camino,
the proceeds will go to CCHD projects in our local Diocese. I plan to begin
my journey with a retreat somewhere in Plymouth, U.K., do the Camino, and
end with a retreat in Santiago. I "hope" to arrive in Santiago on or on
the eve of the Feast of St. James, i.e., July 25th. In sum, I have three
reasons for doing the Camino: (1) to take the much needed Sabbatical, (2)
to renew, strengthen and rediscover my vocation to the priesthood, and (3)
to bring into focus and attention of many the growing poverty in our country.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>I am in good physical health and have been riding bikes since I was
a little boy in the Philippines. Cycling is part of my regular exercise
and renewal. I studied and received my law degree in Rome, have travelled
all over Europe and have been to Santiago already. I have read books, articles
and diaries about the Camino and have done some research. All I have to
do now is to put into writing my plan, my program and my official itinerary.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>I am looking for advise, suggestions and/or assistance from you all
who have been there and done that. Will you be kind enough to lead an aspiring
traveller on the Road to Santiago? Please? I am looking forward to hearing
from most of you. With prayers I am</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Father Vic</div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Vicente N. DeLa Cruz</div>
<div>P. O. Box 1414</div>
<div>Gray, La. 70359</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Phone: (985) 594-3401</div>
<div>E-Mail: <a title="mailto:vicruzamsn.com"
href="mailto:vicruzamsn.com">vicruzamsn.com</a></div>
<div> </div>
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