Fr Daniel with pilgrims at dinner
The Marist Albergue Santa Cruz in Sahagun, October 31, closed its doors uncertain if it will open next season.
During summer, health inspectors discovered significant work is required at the hostel to provide suitable drinking water for pilgrims on the way of St James, the Camino de Santiago de Compostela.
Having looked at various options the only possibility is to replace all the iron water supply pipes with brand new plumbing or close down, reports Rebekah Scott on Peaceable Blogs.
Estimates have the water pipe replacement costing €20,000.
The Marist Fathers rent the building from the Benedictine Sisters who depend on the rent to meet their expenses and fulfil their vow of hospitality.
Their ageing congregation cannot live on their cookie-baking business alone.
Scott asked Marist, Fr Daniel Fernandez if €20,000 were raised, whether the albergue would reopen its doors in the northern spring.
"Sure", he said.
"And we could start as soon as possible".
Scott is delighted to report Peaceable Projects has contributed €10,000; proceeds from an estate.
She is very keen to receive donations for the other €10,000.
Marist Albergue Santa Cruz in Sahagun
The project allows Marists to welcome pilgrims engaging in the Camino who are on their way to the tomb of St James.
The albergue welcomes pilgrims from noon until 8 pm daily.
The simple daily schedule includes
5 pm gathering for a chat over a cup of tea or coffee
6:30 pm Eucharist
Communal dinner where pilgrims are invited to contribute some food to share and continue the chat.
Launching the albergue in 2018, the Marist Fathers described it as "an exciting leap of faith", and in 2019 the Marist albergue reports that almost 4,000 pilgrims stayed.
The suggested donation is just €5 per night.
One pilgrim who stayed is Michael Burns, an English teacher at the Marist School in Atlanta, Georgia.
"As soon as I walked in the door wearing my "Marist XC" T-shirt and said in Spanish, "Hola, min ombre es Michael. Soy americano y Marista", I was greeted like a friend", he writes.
"I soon saw how the other pilgrims were greeted as they entered. Everyone got the VIP treatment.
He says that on this occasion there were pilgrims from Spain, Alaska, France, China, South Korea, Poland and England.
"We went around the circle, sharing our stories.
"Some were heart-wrenching, such as the young Spanish woman who was walking the Camino in memory of her recently deceased father who had not finished the whole journey before his death.
"Some shared stories of just looking for adventure or the chance to get away from the craziness of daily life and to enjoy the simplicity of Camino life.
"Others told stories of overcoming horrible pain and blisters yet remaining determined to make it to Santiago.
"A young Chinese woman told in a hesitant voice about being a Christian missionary in China, a country not often hospitable to religion.
"We were all strangers, yet there was an openness of spirit and a shared sense of camaraderie among us".
Mass followed with around 25 people attending; each pilgrim receiving a blessing.
"Once again, I felt special. We all did", he writes.
Burns described the supper as "plentiful and eclectic", it had cheeses, cured meats, quiches, a casserole, homemade fries, baked carrots and broccoli, a salad, bread and some fantastic Spanish wine.
The following morning he departed and wished "Buen Camino" to the other pilgrims.
"These guys are doing it right.
"The Camino and the world need more places like the Marist albergue.
Peaceable Projects
November 5, 2019 Filed Under: Front page story, International Tagged With: Camino de Santiago de Compostela, Marist Albergue Santa Cruz - Sahagun, Marist Europe, Marist Hostel, Sahagún, Sahagún Project
New pilgrim hostel on the Camino an exciting leap of faith
Sahagun: Click map to locate Marist pilgrim hostel
The Marist Fathers and Brothers in Europe, April 22, lauched the "Sahagún Project," a Hostel for pilgrims on the Way of St James, the Camino de Santiago de Compostela.
The hostel or albergue is a place where those walking the pilgrimage can stop for a night, recover and share their experience of the Camino.
Located in Sahagún, an isolated town, it is geographically half way between the French border and Compostella in the French Way.
Although not yet high season, initial reports indicate the hostel is already being well used.
Records show between 20-30 pilgrims stay each night.
In 2016, 176,000 pilgrims received a Compostela certificate of completion from the pilgrims' office in Santiago.
The formal structure of the Marist hostel is simple, involving,
Pilgrim's coffee: At 5pm pilgrims gathers and chat over a cup of coffee or tea.
Mass and blessing: Mass is celebrated at 6:30pm each evening in different languages.
Communal dinner: Pilgrims are invited to share food and life with other pilgrims at 8:00pm.
The Europe province calls the initiative an "exciting act of faith" and a sign it is working more creatively beyond national boundaries to meet the needs of international pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela.
The team comprises three of Europe's youngest Marist priests, Frs Andrea Volonnino, Daniel Fernándes and Toño Fernándes.
Formally part of the Santa Cruz monastery of the Benedictine mothers, the Albergue has 50 beds of various configurations available on any given night
7 rooms with 4 bunk beds
1 room with 6 bunk beds
8 rooms with 2 beds: possibility of double/single rooms.
In addition it offers a
sitting room to chat, sit and rest
large dining room where each evening the Marist community and pilgrims share dinner, and in the morning, have breakfast before beginning the next leg of their pilgrimage
courtyard with clothes lines and laundry and where pilgrims relax
a washing machine
basic kitchen with ceramic stove and fridge
beautiful chapel.
Open only for a few days, initial feedback on the Camino de Santiago forum is very positive.
Biarritzdon says:
"Here is my shameless salute to the newly opened Benedictine Monastery in Sahagun.
"I hope it will become a "must to" stop like Granon.
"It is clean and welcoming, there are plenty of beds in dorms and private rooms, the Dia across the street allows pilgrims to buy and share salads, roasted chicken, empanadas and an assortment of wine.
"The Marist priests are engaging and mult-lingual and the pilgrims mass before dinner is a real treat.
"A great stop at the mid-point, not to be missed."
"It is a very special place. I stayed there in April, just a few weeks after they opened, and my thoughts were the same as @biarritzdon, this may well become one of those special spots to be sought out.
"The warm, friendly welcome from the priest who greeted me made me feel immediately at home.
The lovely historic facilities, the stunning church where mass is celebrated, and most of all the conversations, laughter, and fellowship at dinner and in the big living room for "coffee hour" with the priests and other pilgrims are treasured memories."
Bernard Boisseau SM in EuroInfo writes:
"What a delight it was to witness the start of this Marist community which will welcome many pilgrims mirroring the 'peripheries' of our world: Christians on the margins of the Church, seekers for God."
Albergue de peregrinos de la Santa Cruz
June 6, 2018 Filed Under: Front page story, International Tagged With: Camino de Santiago de Compostela, Marist Europe, Marist Hostel, Sahagún Project
Marist Fathers school transferred to Marist Brothers
Fr Angel Antón and Provincial superior of L'Hermitage Br Pere Ferré
The only Marist Fathers school in Spain has been transferred to the Marist Brothers.
The process of transferring Sant Pere Chanel School in Malgrat de Mar was initiated by the Marist Fathers in April 2016 during a meeting at L'Hermitage.
The Fathers' intention is to ensure that the school retains its Marist character as a Christian school.
Writing on the European Marist Education blog, Marist Fathers' Europe provincial, Fr Martin McAnaney, says he is delighted that the sustainability of the Marist educational mission in Malgarat is assured.
The Marist Fathers' Europe newsletter "Euro Info" reports the the transfer to Fundació Champagnat in Catalonia began with a ceremony on 15 December and will be implemented gradually in the current school year.
Fundació Champagnat is a network of 9 schools and 15 social projects and "Euro Info" says future of the school is very promising.
The Society of Mary was represented by Vicar Provincial Fr Jean-Marie Bloqueao, Provincial Bursar Joáquin Fernandez and the Society's legal representative in Spain Fr Angel Antón.
January 10, 2017 Filed Under: Front page story, International Tagged With: Education, Marist Brothers, Marist Europe
Suzanne Aubert biography launched in France
Suzanne Aubert's biography in French was launched on 31 May at a function in Paris. The function, held at the New Zealand embassy was hosted by Rosemary Banks, the New Zealand Ambassador.
The occasion was of such importance that newly elected Superior General, Sister Margaret Anne Mills and Archivist Sister Josephine Gorman travelled from New Zealand to represent the Sisters of Compassion.
Speeches before 80 people were delivered by Sister Margaret Anne, Bishop Jean-Yves, Madeleine Le Jeune, the author, and Father John Craddock SM.
The strong foundational relationship between France and New Zealand, the Society of Mary and the Sisters of Compassion was also reinforced by the Marist Europe provincial, Fr Hubert Bonnet-Eymard also attending the function.
The event is a significant but discrete step in promoting the cause of Suzanne Aubert, who is likely to be New Zealand's first saint.
In the manner of the Kawa of tangi, John Craddock spoke to the newly created Icon of Suzanne by celebrated iconographer, Michael Galovic of Sydney, thus: "Suzanne Aubert, Meri, you were an excellent daughter of post-revolutionary France. The more I reflect on your life and your lasting impact on New Zealand and Oceania, the more I realise you embodied the three great values of France:
la liberté, l'égalité et la fraternité.
La liberté: You lived as a free soul and sought your own calling. Your outreach was beyond racial and religious boundaries and you ignored petty protocol.
L'égalité: You treated all as equals and loved them, especially the disadvantaged, as brothers and sisters. You had the advantage as a child of growing up in the hills above Lyon and then in your adolescent years in Lyon. These two environments gave you ease in both rural and city life. You were able to relate with Maori on their Marae and with the bourgeoisie of our capital city.
La fraternité: You were a leader in universal health care while Governments were still exploring the concepts. Your knowledge and mastery of the Maori language and culture enabled you to use and perfect traditional herbal medicines to preserve health and long before it became accepted and now fashionable. You relied on the generosity of people, the Providence of God, and it worked. You had a saint's way of making people feel they were helping to make the world a better place. Always on the go, you drew out of them something of the divine and we still love your for this. No wonder, then, we gave you to date the greatest funeral of a woman in our nation's history. Merci beaucoup, La France, especially Lyon, for this gift to the South Pacific."
He concluded by playing Chris Skinner's tribute "Merci à Dieu" and to the music, walked the Icon through the audience, then presented it to the official party.
The very next day, it was by TGV to Lyon and a further book launch with Cardinal Barbarin adding grace with his presence and signature. Then the two Sisters with Jessie and Madeleine travelled with John by regular train to Saint-Chamond where they were guests of the Marist Brothers' international community at L'Hermitage. Thursday was Ascension day and they joined in the public community Mass and another after-midday with a visiting group of Spanish Brothers in the birthplace of St Marcellin Champagnat. A restful evening provided them preparation for the wonderful festivities the next day two hours away at St Symphorien-de-Lay, the birthplace and first parish of Suzanne Aubert.
Suzanne's biography, Une Françoise chez les Maoris, by Madeleine Le Jeune. The preface was written by the Cardinal Archbishop of Lyon and the post-face by Bishop Jean-Yves Riocreux of Pontoise.
June 18, 2011 Filed Under: International Tagged With: Marist Europe, Suzanne Aubert