La Posadas

I was introduced to the tradition of Las Posadas at my first parish, St Anthony of Padua.  9 days prior to Christmas the Church would gather in the evenings to re-enact Mary and Joseph seeking a place to stay in Bethlehem.  Two of the youth would dress as Mary and Joseph and they would go from room to room or house to house.  At each Posada (inn) Mary and Joseph would sing to see if there was room. For them to stay.  The inn keeper would respond in song that the inn was full, then everyone would pray a decade of the rosary.  Mary and Joseph would then seek another place.

We stepped out from the Petit Couvent in Lourdes into  cool and damp autumn morning.  We found the Camino easy to navigate as the signage on the trail is very clear.  The trail begins along the river Pau for many miles through a dense forest

After several miles we came to the Shrine of Lestelle-Betherram, which has a beautiful church.  When I stopped in mass was just ending.  It was the only church we found that had anyone in it.  After receiving the final blessing we climbed the hill out of the river valley, which had the stations of the cross on them, so praying the stations we climbed to the "cross of the heights" which had a great view and picnic tables, so we had lunch.

We soon came to the Church in Asson, which was our destination for the day, but we felt that we could go further, so we pushed on.  

When we arrived at Bruges we started to look for a place to stay - and now las posadas come to mind.  The first place we came to required reservations, and was full.  They said that there was an albergue in the next town Mifaget right next to the Church.

In Mifaget, the church of St Michael's is right next to the road.  St Micheal is the patron saint of pilgrims.  In the church there was a sign that the hostel for pilgrims was closed during Covid and has not re-opened.  

We started to call around to places to stay, and after 30 minutes or so found refuge in a Convent converted to a bed and breakfast in Louvie-Juzon, another 8 or 9 km away.  So shouldering our packs we pressed on arriving here at 7.30 pm.  

Unlike Mary and Joseph, The innkeeper and his wife welcomed us and made us feel at ho e.  They are very gracious hosts.  God always provides, in ways we do not expect.  He gives us the grace, perseverance and gifts to find a welcome home at the end of the journey.