After three full days of walking, I'm beginning to say that I've found my stride.  I know my body a little better; when to slow down, when to take a breather, and when to say 'enough for today Erik'. Day one was a big endurance test:  27 km of mostly a steep climb through foggy and rough terrain and a painful long descent to the first stop at Roncesvalles.  This tiny hamlet boasts a lovely early Gothic church, the pilgrims 'albergo' and a few other ancient buildings.  The Mass was full and it was moving to see the rich variety of culture in those who came forward at the end of for the special pilgrim blessing.

Supper was a family style 'pilgrims supper' with an equal cultural variety as at the Mass.  Conversation, mostly in English as the common laguage, touched upon the shared experience of the day's walk, snippets of personal history and information about the countries represented – Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan and the US. 

Day two was about the same distance but in gorgeous sunny weather and much less challenging terrain.   I ended up spending time on the trail with an Australian couple who, over the next day or so became companions.  

I guess that the grace of these first couple of day is 'knowing my body better' and 'seeing how quickly simple bonds can develop between complete strangers' No great spiritual insights as I steadily make my way beyond the Pyrenees towards the Iberica range on this ancient path that has been trod by countless Christians and people of good will for a thousand years or more.

Over the next days I look forward to getting into a more meditative rhythm of walking, as my body gets used to the routine of 25+ km per day.  'The rhythm of walking' can provide the mantra for meditating, with the backdrop of beautiful and diverse terrain, tiny villages that are quaint and ripe with history.   There are few distractions except perhaps the impatience to get to the day's destination or the occasional ache.

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This pilgrimage is being made in support of AJAN – the African Jesuit AIDS Network – a Catholic organization that links and supports Jesuits working in HIV and AIDS care across sub-Saharan Africa. The AJAN vision of empowered individuals, families and communities working towards an HIV- and AIDS-free society and the fullness of life, is realized by Jesuits and their co-workers who reach out to people with HIV, their families, widows and orphans, and who seek to prevent the spread of the pandemic.  AJAN achieves its mission through facilitation and support, networking, advocacy and resource mobilization.  We are also happy to provide you with a tax receipt for your contributions. Please make checks payable to: Aide aux Jésuites canadiens (“Help the Canadian Jesuits” ). Please also include “2013 Pilgrimage Supporting AJAN” on the check memo line. Checks can be mailed to:

Canadian Jesuit Novitiate Pilgrimage

c / o Kevin Kelly

5611 avenue Gatineau

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

H3T 1X6