Cathedral mass

My Seattle friend and I took our seats in the South transept on the basis that this would offer a good view if the Botafumeiro was swung at the close of the service (it wasn’t, as it happens). By the time the mass was ready to start, all the seats were long gone and it was standing room only. We passed much of the time chatting to some other Americans who sat next to us.

Just before the service, pilgrims were welcomed by members of the English, Dutch and German speaking teams from the Pilgrim Office who told us of potential opportunities for services in our respective languages and to chat with others in our own languages.

Then the mass began, with the entrance of the clergy taking part whilst a nun sang. The priest leading the service then gave an extensive welcome to all the pilgrims partly in English and Spanish, and welcomed by name various visiting groups, organisations and individuals.

It was once again a real privilege to worship alongside my Catholic sisters and brothers, and especially with my friend from Seattle. It helped that I’m getting slightly better at following a Catholic mass in Spanish, but I loved especially taking part in a service in a holy and ancient place, where Jesus has been worshipped for over 800 years.

At one point, the priest prayed a blessing for the peregrinos in the service, in English and a Spanish. I was particularly touched that he prayed for us as we continued our journeys of pilgrimage when we had each returned home.Read more