<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><HTML><FONT SIZE=2 PTSIZE=10 FAMILY="SERIF" FACE="Palatino Linotype" LANG="0">Hello you all,<BR>
First, I apologize for the tardiness in sending this message; I've just been snowed under the work accumulated over the seven weeks that I was away.<BR>
Thanks to the efforts and legal structure of the Santa Barbaras, formally known as "American Pilgrims on the Camino", more than 700 dollars were collected from American pilgrims and sent to the Pilgrims' Office to help them out when their old and overworked computers gave up the ghost.<BR>
Although it took weeks from the time that the funds were sent until their were credited to the proper account in Santiago, they did arrive and were immediately put to the purpose. When I arrived at Santiago the people there showed me the new equipment and thanked me profusely ... and unfairly ... since the funds did not come from me.<BR>
Juan Jose Serbian Franco, the distinguished sociologist, professor and (very prolific) writer, who is head of the Sociology Department of the Archdiocese (I don't know exactly what the Department does), was in charge of the Pilgrims' office temporarily when Don Jaime fell ill, and when the computers broke down, and it was with him that the American pilgrims made the first contact about contributing something to help them out. His brother, Genaro, whom I met is now the official replacement of Don Jaime, and, as was Don Jaime, he is a Canonigo of the Cathedral (a Canonigo is an official priest of the Cathedral who serves Mass and has other responsib ilities for the Cathedral's maintenance and functions).<BR>
I was introduced to Don Genaro and he thanked me profusely for the help we gave e them. I explained that the contributions did not come fromme, b ut from a group of American pilgrims willing to help and to give back to the Camino something in exchange for the riches we have received from it. He told me that when the funds were received they did not show an address of provenance to which they could have sent a letter of thanks.<BR>
Consequently, I am the rather embarrassed conduit for such thanks.... Please receive and accept them. They could not be more heartfelt.<BR>
And, I wish I could convey the smiles, the warm embraces, and the undeniable emotion repeatedly expressed at knowing that we, American Pilgrims, care so much for the Camino that we put a little bit of our wallets where our sentiments evidently are.<BR>
<BR>
As soon as I am somewhat caught up with work, perhaps by Wednesday, I will begin to post my most salient impressions of that magnificent Via de la Plata.<BR>
By the way, I learned that Pope John XXIII, so beloved by many, even by non-Christians, made the Camino pilgrimage twice,..... on the Northern Way. So I guess one need walk that Way next year. <BR>
Meanwhile, I am very happy to have gotten my tickets to go to Santiago for Thanksgiving, for a few more passes through the Holy door and a few more embraces of Jimmy. His new cape, by the way, is quite beautiful. I was able to take picture of the Santiago image's back without the cape last January, and now of the image with his new cape. One of these days I'll have someone post the pictures here.<BR>
Lastly, the lines of pilgrims waiting to go through the Holy Door reportedly still extends onto the Platerias stairs! Two weeks into September. <BR>
(There must have been pilgrims who went early to avoid "the rush", pilgrims who joined "the rush", and pilgrims who waited until after "the rush".... I can imagine what the multitudes will be at year's end since the next Holy Year is so far away.)<BR>
Warm regards and a big hug,<BR>
Rosina<BR>
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