Friday, August 20, 2010

Pilgrim's Progress: The Journey Home

I arrived here in Rome last week and the following day I went to Milan with my friends Tina & Ed and their companion Nelly. We spent the long weekend there, visiting Lake Como and exploring the old city. During the long drive from Rome to Milan and back, I shared with them my experience about the Camino and taught them the song that I composed. They were so inspired that they decided to do the last part of the Camino (Sarria-Santiago de Compostela) next year.

Tina and Ed are old friends from way back. Ed works at the UN-FAO and Tina (who holds a doctorate in social science from the Gregorian University) organizes leadership/social enterpreneurship training for OFWs in Italy.


I spent the last few days here in Rome recovering. I just walked around the city for 3 hours each day, visiting my favorite places and buying books that I will bring back to the Philippines.



Today at midday, I will take the plane back to Cebu via Doha. I still have over 2 months left in my Sabbatical which I will spend as a hermit in the mountain of Busay. I will have much time reflecting on my Camino experience and preparing for my re-entry to "normal' life.



The journey home is not just a physical journey. It is a continuing inner journey. As the saying goes: the longest journey is the inner journey from the head to the heart.

2 comments:

ksam said...

Enjoy your retreat from the world! You've had the most amazing journey, and thanks for allowing us to follow along.

James Athol Steel said...

Congratulations Father! I read about your grand entry to the great cathedral in Santiago (hope you were not suffering too much). You will be an inspiration for me when I get on the Camino in a couple of weeks. Best wishes, "Vandrefalk" James. L.D.S.