Over some time now I have been able to find and install some of you to help out with the blog. These folks are the Caminoheads Bureau Chiefs. It sounds important and is. You guys are located in certain areas and we need you to keep your ear to the ground for news in your region. News and pics about walks, groups, insights can then come into me at headquarters for use on the blog. That’s the theory.
So here are some folks that we have so far:
Canadian ~ William in Calgary, Alberta.
Heartland US – John (Juan or Pilgrim Farmer John) in Wellman, Iowa.
Northwest US – Steve (Esteban or Steve-O) in Ashland Oregon.
Southwest US – Rho in San Diego, California.
South America – Cris in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
That’s who we have so far. We seem to be good north and south but need some help with longitude. I would like to have a couple of people on the East Coast. How about Hawaii? How about Europe? And I am working on that. And in addition as Steve-O says this gives a person practice with spelling Bureau. It seems all big fun and educational to boot.
Maybe we can have a pic for each one of these fine folks for you in the near future. We are ever on the lookout for improvements. Stay tuned.
That is all I have for you today. I am off to lunch and to work. Have a good one. Work hard, play hard loves, Felipe.
Querido Felipe,
To start, let me say that I am honored to be in this list, sharing it with figures such as PFJ. And I truly appreciate your trust in this Spanish speaker collaborator!
Today is my 4th year anniversary walking the whole Camino, and my 7th year anniversary walking from Leon to Santiago. Not casually, it was planned I would arrive the same day and meet other Camino family 2011 members who would only be flying for the reunion. So, quite an emotional day. I just came back from mass, definitely had to give thanks for both experiences.
But today also is the Pilgrimage to Lujan (Peregrinación a Luján) in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This is an intense and massive pilgrimage, that is done yearly for the last 44 years, on the first Sunday of October. It is intense as you have to walk 70 km all together, starting at midday of Saturday, walk along the whole day and night, and pilgrims arrive to Lujan the following morning by 7, or 8, or even at midday. Yes, between 18 to 24 hours walking. And it is massive, the news says there is 1 million people walking at the moment.
Pilgrims walk to “Luján” which is a huge basilica raised to Virgin Mary (the story how the Virgin is said decided to “stop” there is quite nice). And “Nuestra Señora de Luján” is the patron of Argentina; and Argentina is a Marian country. “Nuestra Señora de Luján” is also the protector of the drivers.
The pilgrimage is quite different than walking the Camino, this is in fact a religious pilgrimage, and people walk in faith, usually asking favors or giving thanks. The hours pass praying, singing, making stops at the busses the parishes rent to check in with the parish pilgrims along the route, and to provide assistance, coffee, a rest, health care, etc. Starting at 8 AM Sunday, there are masses for the pilgrims as they arrive.
So, I would suggest that today and tomorrow we say a prayer for these pilgrims, for their efforts, their faith, and their intentions. Lots and lots of very young people, but in fact, all ages are present, it is quite moving to watch… it really tells that faith can move mountains…!
Marian loves,
Cris
Here is the story (maybe Google translator makes the trick! ) http://peregrinacionlujan.org.ar/?page_id=508
Here is a film in youtube, about the story, and the subtitles can be in English: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=268&v=w6xCnB9heLA
Here is the newspaper today: https://www.clarin.com/sociedad/peregrinacion-lujan-2018-recorrido-hora-hora_0__vC4r5oJL.html
Cris ~ so glad that you are on the team, an awesome team. And that is an awesome pilgrimage. Have you done it? And a million people. It must be quite a scene. Thanks, Felipe.x
I did; when I was 17. And then I went 2 more times but as the support team; I didn’t walk.
If you google “peregrinación a Luján 2018” you will see pictures… !
Cris ~ this is a very intriguing pilgrimage. Thank you for helping us to get to know it. We are so North American here, can’t be bothered I guess. Later, Felipe.x
Thanks Phil, I am happy to be amoing the group and representing this special place! Will be in touch when I return home.