The final weeks before departure

  

 The summer days continue to pass. I spent two weeks visiting my mother in Vernon Hills, Illinois while Zoë rested a little.  My sister Janet, a nurse, gave her a small doggy-sized dosage of Prednisone which did wonders.  Keeping her quiet became a problem, and her progress was remarkable. 

While there I didn't do to much walking, so I am going to have to redouble my efforts.  Although Zoë has made a speedy recovery from her back injury, long walks are still out for her, even though short ones are definitely encouraged.

 

Walking around Century Lake in Vernon Hills with my mother.

I continue to help administer two Camino-related Facebook groups which keeps me in touch with the other walkers, and makes planning my own walk easier.  If I wanted to, I could just pose questions and see what others recommend or think on any related subject.  On the Feast Day of St. James, July 25, Brooke Taylor posted the article reproduced below.  If you recall, she was the woman I met in Paris in the spring through the Via Podiensis FB group. She was soon to be walking the Vezelay route.

How the scallop shell became a symbol of pilgrimage          by Philip Kosloski

 

There are numerous legends and myths surrounding this well-known symbol.

For those familiar with the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, the scallop shell is a welcome sight. It is a symbol that guides pilgrims along the way towards their ultimate destination, and is frequently worn by those who embark on such a journey. 

   The scallop shell can also be seen in medieval representations of St. James the Greater as well as basic depictions of pilgrims. It is an ancient symbol, one that has become closely associated with the Camino and Christian pilgrimage in general. 

   Why is that? How did the scallop shell receive such an association? Part of it was due to certain legends surrounding the arrival of St. James’s body in Spain. One story recounts that after James was martyred in Jerusalem in the year 44, his body was taken to Spain and when the ship reached the shore a horse was spooked and fell in the water. The story goes on to say how both the horse and rider were miraculously saved and came forth from the water covered in scallop shells. 

   On a more practical level scallop shells are naturally found on the coast of Galicia near the location of St. James’s tomb. For pilgrims in the Middle Ages the journey was typically done to fulfill a penance given by a priest. In order to verify that the pilgrim did in fact reach the final destination, a local souvenir was required. Over time pilgrims began to take the scallop shells they found and then presented them as proof when they returned home.  

  At first pilgrims who wanted a scallop shell had to continue the journey past the tomb of St. James to Finisterre, but by the 12th century vendors saw the lucrative opportunity and began selling the shells near the cathedral. 

   Besides being a souvenir for pilgrims, the scallop shell was also used as a bowl for food and water. From this close association with the Camino the scallop shell was more generally known as a symbol of pilgrimage. It was used to symbolize the Christian’s journey towards heaven, evoking the Letter to the Hebrews and how we “are pilgrims and strangers on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13).  The Catechism further explains how, “Pilgrimages evoke our earthly journey toward heaven and are traditionally very special occasions for renewal in prayer. 

 For pilgrims seeking living water, shrines are special places for living the forms of Christian prayer” (CCC 2691). With this in mind the scallop shell was also used in the administration of the sacrament of Baptism. Not only did it prove to be a practical tool to pour water on someone, it also carried that same symbolism of pilgrimage with it. Baptism is the start of the Christian journey and so when a priest uses a scallop shell to pour water on a child, he is initiating that child on a pilgrimage towards heaven. This is also why the scallop shell can often be seen artistically represented in baptistries or on baptismal fonts. The scallop shell is an ancient Christian symbol, one that has a long and rich history.

Then in early August, I got together with another pilgrim, Janet Booth, who needed some help planning her Le Puy walk.  We met at the La Madeleine restaurant in Rockville, now relocated to the new Pike & Rose shopping area which was a perfect place because it was not crowded and there was the possibility of bottomless coffee. Another advantage is that there is free wifi at the restaurant, so I was able to bring my computer and to show her some images for her upcoming walk from Aumont-Aubrac to Moissac in September.

 


I've taken one walk with my dogs around Lake Frank a couple of days ago and have also managed a 7 mile hike at Burke Lake Park (VA). I took my nephew with me since he has now moved in with me and will be staying for the school year. He will be doing his first year of teaching at DC Public's charter school, Mary McLeod Bethune Day Academy, and had nothing to do this weekend as his current girlfriend has now returned to Blacksburg, VA.

I have also been emailing the places where I plan to stay in September, and have received email  confirmations from all, so I am feeling quite pleased. There will inevitably be challenges, but the more I have addressed early, the better.  Now my train and plane reservations are also all in order as well, so my trip is shaping up.