Reflection by: Timothy Wong
Chronicles of a pilgrim – Day 13 – SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA/FATIMA
#sequelachristi2024
Today was a full day of travelling, which meant long bus rides and sore buttocks. We set off early for Fatima and stopped by a town called Porto for lunch.
We were greeted with amazing views and had lunch by the water! I felt more like a tourist than a pilgrim… This thought reminded me of the reality of early pilgrimages, where pilgrims often faced the tension between spiritual intent and the practical realities of travel. In medieval times, they walked for weeks or months, enduring harsh weather, physical exhaustion, and sometimes sickness, all for the sake of drawing closer to God. Yet, along the way, they also encountered bustling towns, local markets, and cultural exchanges that must have felt more like a journey of discovery than purely a spiritual endeavor.
As I sat by the water in Porto, enjoying the beautiful views and delicious food, I realized that even in these seemingly tourist-like moments, there is room for reflection and gratitude. The journey itself—the people we meet, the stories we hear, and the places we see—becomes a part of the spiritual experience. It reminded me that pilgrimage isn’t just about reaching the destination; it’s about embracing the journey with an open heart and a willingness to be transformed by each step along the way.
With this renewed perspective, we continued our journey to Fatima, excited for what awaited us there. While the long bus rides were tiring, they also gave me time to pause, pray, and reflect on the blessings of this pilgrimage. It’s in these quiet, in-between moments that I feel most connected to the deeper purpose of this journey.