Today a distressed pilgrim arrived just before our 8.30 morning prayer. We sat together for a while – mostly in silence. Then a lady turned up (sent by the Holy Spirit?) who slowly drew him out of himself. At that point it just felt better to get out of the way. They eventually talked for more than an hour with, it seems, much weeping. She then sent him on his way with a big hug and rather happier than he had been on his arrival. Sometimes it’s better just to stand back …..
Later we went to Lourdes, about an hour and a quarter away, and took the waters – a different sort of pilgrimage!