Monserrat

Today was a day in Monserrat. Early vespers at 7:30 followed by a buffet breakfast and then an 11am mass, where the lead priest blessed the pilgrams from Regis!

After a buffet lunch, 3 of the pilgrams (Ed, Istvan, and Fred) took the Funicular up to Sant Joan with Fr Jose and then undertook a 2.25 mile hike to the top of the mountains (Sant Jeroni) nearly 1200m above sea level. John took a hike to San Miguel to the cross a mostly uphill hike with some treacherous paths. The rest of the pilgrams (who shall remain nameless) apparently had a spa day. 

We’re scheduled for an optional 7:30 vespers and then dinner before being able to go see the Monserrat Black Madonna, found in a cave by a shepherd in the renaissance. Either brought by angels (the Monserrat  story) or brought by folks from Barcelona to avoid having it destroyed by invading armies.

Mostly a rest day before our longest walk tomorrow as we head from Monserrat to Manressa where we’ll stay for 2 nights before ending our trip in Barcelona.

Fred

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