Fr. Bob leads Pilgrimage

Fr. Bob leads a Pilgrimage through Spain - April 13th - 26th, 2008

Spain has such a rich culture and is an historic stronghold of the Catholic Faith - and so many of the reforms and renewal movements within the Church. We journeyed to Spain to expereince the mix of Catholic, Jewish, and Islamic cultures as they co-exited and learned from each other in the golden age.

My special purpose in leading a Pilgrimage to Spain was the Carmelite part: Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross, great Carmelite Saints, Reformers, Mystics, and Doctors of the Church. We prayed and reflected on their journeys to God - the Interior Castle and Ascent of Mount Carmel - how we find the Living Flame of Love amid darkness, emptiness and aridity. Starting in Segovia, we visited Avila, Fontiveros, Salamanca, Alba de Tormes, Seville, Cordoba, Granada, LaMancha, Toldeo, and Madrid, With Mass daily and prayer services on different aspects of their spirituality, we were listening to the profound religious experience of Carmelite and Colonial Spain.

After the grand Cathedral and the Tomb of Columbus, we celebrated Mass in Seville at the famous church of Christ the Power.Crowds gathered around us and there was a constant stream of pilgrims touching Christ carrying his cross for us. Spanish spirituality can see the glory of love amid the gore of Christ's suffering.

Alba de Tormes, where St. Teresa of Avila died - her pierced heart is preserved in a golden reliquary in the museum there.

This is a photo of the pilgrimage group in La Mancha - before the windmills we celebrated Don Quixote de La Mancha and sang "Dream the Impossible Dream."

The image below is Dan Luessenhop, an employee of the Society of the Little Flower, standing before the granite walls of Avila, home of St. Teresa of Jesus. We visited the Incarnation convent, saw her convent room, and her childhood home. Avila is a classic medieval walled city.

In Granada, we celebrated Mass in this beautifully decorated baroque Church. So many of the Churches are richly decorated in ways that lift the soul.

The image here is of Our Lady of Solitude in the New Cathedral of Salamanca. All year she is dressed in black - this awesome Lady of Grace who is with God and with us - alone to pray and be centered - she centers us in God's calming love. During Easter season, she was dressed in White.

Fr. Bob Colaresi, O.Carm.