Our Lady of the Pillar

Our Lady of the Pillar is the national feast day in Spain on October 12th. Schools and universities are closed; people are off work; etc. The apparition is different from other Marian apparitions in that it happened during Mary's lifetime as she visited St. James in Zaragoza, Spain. I hear the location is an easy bus ride from Pamplona, so I hope to check it out soon.

We began the celebration with a vigil Mass and procession on October 11th with the auxiliary bishop at St. Nicholas church, which was built 1,000 years ago. Here are some shots:

Adiós to Spanish Class

 I'm looking forward to my final exam in Spanish class next Wednesday. Even though I've been studying Spanish off and on since I was 11 years old, the class has reminded me it would be lifelong process to master the language. However, in the course of this exercise in humility, some people have told me my skills have improved. 

I took a selfie in class while sporting the Silverhawks mask. Next to me is Cielo (her Spanish name) from Tokyo, continuing Nascar style (counter-clockwise) around the room are Nao from Yokohama, Japan; and a guy from Russia who transferred in late and may have dropped the class since I took the selfie. At the far right is Camille from Bordeaux, France. Out of the shot next to her would be Mona from Belgium and Lena from Germany. Continuing around in the front row are Zoli from Hungary, then Adela, our teacher from Mexico. I find it very interesting that most of the Spanish professors I have met are from Latin American countries. I have not asked why but it may be because the Latin American pronunciation is a little more simplified and more common around the world. Behind the teacher, we cannot see Kendra from Angola. The teacher is speaking to Sophia from the Philippines. Finishing up the circle are Shakri from Iran, Nikita from Ukraine, and Anze from Slovenia. God bless them for tolerating the old, bald American priest for the past six weeks!

More in Pamplona

 Pamplona also has this giant statue of our beloved Pope Saint John Paul II in a roundabout near downtown:

And not too far from downtown is the ciudadela (fortress) going back to Medieval times. Evidently it is still used for people to exercise their horses:

This one has a great view of some neighborhoods and mountains nearby:

Finally, just down the hill from where I'm staying is the Rio Arga with a park in either side. With the walking trail it reminds me of the Little Miami back home. Accompanying me were Lucas from Brazil and Patrick from Mexico.

Deacon Ray Kroger: Requiescat in pace

 I was saddened to learn this morning of the passing of my friend and fellow worker in the "Carpenter's Union," Deacon Ray Kroger into eternity. I never had the chance to know Ray as an active deacon or serve with him at the altar. Since I met him a little over four years ago, he has been in senior status, which brings me to my first point of comfort. Deacon Ray was an excellent example to me of patient suffering. He was always joyful and always in good humor every time I saw him, which was most days, as he was a daily communicant. His joy and humor were amazing because his hunched over body and nearly inaudible voice told a different story. As he declined in health, I never heard any complaints but only quiet words of joy and his quick wit.

Since I am in Spain on sabbatical, I am saddened that I did not get to visit with Deacon Ray in his last days of life here on earth, and I will not be able to participate in his funeral. But this brings me to my second point of comfort: the Communion of Saints. Even though we are separated by thousands of miles and the Atlantic Ocean, neither the miles nor the ocean nor even death can keep us from the charity of Jesus Christ. Since Jesus conquered death in his Resurrection he showed that he is stronger than death. And since He is not limited by time or space, or even death, Deacon Ray and I are still able to pray for each other and I can offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the repose of his soul and the comfort of his family on a different continent. Requiescat in pace.

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: