On 1st July 14 Pilgrims from the Bournemouth Oratory set off walking 120 km of the Portuguese camino route from Baiona in Northern Spain to Santiago de Compostela. Led by Fr Francisco, highlights included stoping to celebrate Mass along the way on some days, Fr Francisco celebrating Mass in the chapel of the convent in Pontevedra where the Our Lady appeared to Sr Lucia of Fatima for the final times in 1925 and 1926 and where she received instructions from Our Lady for the 1st Saturday devotions. Another highlight was Fr Francisco concelebrating at the evening Pilgrim Mass in the Cathedral in Santiago at the end of which the famous swinging giant thurible, the Botafueiro, was swung. Notwithstanding the soaring temperatures (35 – 40 degrees centigrade) all 14 jubilant but tired pilgrims arrived at the Catheral on the morning of 8th July. To see photos of their pilgrimage click on any of the photos below.
