Today an tiny nun, probably in her 80’s, blessed us.

We were walking out of the tiny town of Rabe de las Calzadas and came upon a tiny chapel. The door was open so we went in and were greeted by a smiling woman. After stamping our pilgrim credentials,  she offered us a small medal and a blessing. We agreed, and she put her hand on each of our heads, said each of our names, and recited a prayer in Spanish.

Gotta say, the whole thing left both of us kind of verklempt. It felt generous and gentle and earnest.

This woman probably blessed over a hundred people today, and surely we weren’t the only ones who felt cared for in the moment.

It was a lovely moment.

We took an English translation of the prayer. I won’t retype the whole thing, but here are parts of her prayer for us:

May the medal be our shield and strength on the WAY,

May we find peace in our lives,

May we be helped to love the weakest,

May we be moved to walk in truth and justice.

Amen.