The Blessing

Today's Pilgrim's Blessing was led by Donald Schell, rector of Saint Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church in San Francisco. It proved to be an inspiring, yet humbling recognition of the courage and hope with which we Pilgrims choose to leave home and become Pilgrims, wanderers of the world. Donald's prayer of blessing went like this:

Lynn....

as you leave here to prepare for your journey,
leave with the love and blessings of all who know you.
Bow your heads as we pray for God's blessing:
May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sunshine warm your face, and rains fall soft upon your cheeks.
And until we meet again,may God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Amen

I confess that I teared up and felt a great lump in my throat as Jim, and others there in support of the Pilgrims, gave voice to Donald's words and called our names out loud. Again, symbolism and ritual from another time gathered faithfully in that room. How fortunate we are to experience this positive collective energy of such a spirit filled group of beings. Companions on The Way, we have already begun.



there is a Pilgrim's song I would share with you. It is a John Bunyan Pilgrimage song sung by Maddy Pryor. You can listen by downloading:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/sing-lustily-good-courage/id425531927

track 1, "Who Would True Valour See"