San Sabastian

 If one drives north from Pamplona, in about an hour, one will find oneself at either the border of France or at the Atlantic Ocean. 

This past Saturday, I entered an automobile for the first time since I arrived in Spain on September 2nd and had the opportunity to visit San Sabastian on the Atlantic coast. It's a huge semicircle beach with an island in the middle of the bay. Behind the beach is a huge wall on top of which is the street at the edge of the city of San Sabastian and other geological formations. Check out this short panoramic video:

While we were having lunch on the grass in front of a historic palace, 

two different sets of newlyweds came by for photo opps.

The town has St. Vincent church and the cathedral as "bookends" at either end of town.

My companions praying near the tabernacle with the Blessed Sacrament present:

Pamplona

Of course, Pamplona is known for the Feast of St. Fermin, which includes the running of the bulls depicted here:

Pamplona is also the place where Ernest Hemingway lived as he wrote some of his works. This is the building where he stayed:

Finally for this post, the famous Camino de Santiago, also known as The Way, goes right through Pamplona. Pilgrims walk from the south of France all the way across northern Spain to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Graphics of shells mark the way for the pilgrims to follow. This is the first one I saw, which is on the campus of the University of Navarra, where I have my Spanish class:

Thoughts on Food

I sure do like food, and the food here has been excellent! I have eaten almost every meal in the house and have only had something out a couple of times. Check out these sandwiches:

Alvaro, a Spaniard, is on the left. Fr. Gabriel is a priest from El Salvador. On the right is Andres, a student from Ecuador. Then, if one gets a hankerin for a Whopper, these scooters are ready to roll:

The people seem to know what they like and the places that produce what people want seem to be packed. This is noticeable from the abundant outdoor seating. Local outdoor places like this are usually pretty busy:

Patrick on the left is from Mexico. Anze in the middle is from Slovenia.

Here's another example:

Then there are the places that seem to struggle:

I walk past this Taco Bell all the time and there is never anyone here. They don't know what they're missing! Finally, one can find a couple other American favorites:

St Fermin

One of the significant things I learned right away is that the infamous Running of the Bulls here in Pamplona has origins deeply rooted in the Catholic Faith. Turns out the event is really supposed to be a celebration of the feast of St Fermin on July 7th. Along with St Saturninus, he is a patron saint of Pamplona. One of the details of the event is that people wear white and red clothing: white symbolizing his sainthood and red symbolizing the blood of their beloved proto-bishop and martyr. Here is the spot where St Saturninus baptized St Fermin along with the first Christians in the city:

In the church of St. Lawrence pictured here:

one finds a side transept with a side chapel dedicated to St Fermin:

Faith abounds

Even though I have a better and closer picture of this Marian grotto, I wanted to share this one with a wider view to show the faith of the people. I took this on Sunday on my way to Mass:

A claim of great significance for Pamplona is the spot where St Ignatius of Loyola fell in battle after he was hit with a cannonball. He did not know it at the time but it would be the beginning of his conversion experience, which would lead into The Discernment of Spirits, The Spiritual Exercises, founding the Society of Jesus, and ultimately sainthood. Here is a monument on the spot where he fell:

Finally, this is the first time I visited the cathedral. More to come later:

Be a saint. What else is there?

Chapels

So the way I am beginning to understand is that if people don't know the priest's name, they might call him "padre." However, if they know his name, they will call him and refer to him as "Don" with his name. My only experience with this title was in Honduras but it was for older lay men and "Doña" for women. Plus, the consensus of the seminarians there at the time was that it was an old practice that seemed to be going out of style. Evidently Spain is one of those countries that still uses the title for priests. Here is a picture of Don Jason Bedel offering Mass in the chapel of the science building at the University of Navarra on the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time in English:

About half the assembly were Filipinos and the rest were probably people from other countries who are more familiar with English than Spanish.

I was amazed to find that every building at the University has a chapel near the entrance with the Blessed Sacrament reserved. It seems St. Josemaría Escrivá wanted Christ front and center. Plus people can pay a quick visit to the Blessed Sacrament both coming and going. There is definitely a culture of making a visit to the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. One chapel I saw was set up with a window for such visits from the hallway without having to disturb any liturgy that may be taking place inside. Here is another example of a chapel in a university building:

I'll close with one quick bedelism: I’m finding it difficult to get cool while others in the house are wearing sweaters and sweatshirts. However, today was in the 90s--no air conditioning or fans--so there was some commiserating...

Parked between two tabernacles

 

This is my home away from home: Colegio Mayor Albaizar. We have the second, third, and fourth floors for five priests and a dozen college men who are discerning the priesthood as they continue studies at the University of Navarra. My Spanish class begins there on Monday. We have a beautiful chapel in house where I offered Mass once and concelebrated once. I'll show pictures later. Right across the street is Asuncion parish church, where I concelebrated Mass Saturday. The owners of these cars probably don't realize they are parked between two tabernacles where the Blessed Sacrament is present.

Thanks for your prayers and God bless!

Fr. Bedel