Le pèlerinage de Michèle et Arlette - Our Camino de Compostela: Credencial del Peregrino

dimanche 6 avril 2008

Credencial del Peregrino

Today we received our « credencial ». The Association québécoise des pèlerins et amis du Chemin de Saint-Jacques organized a day of ceremony that began with a short 5 km walk. In medieval times when a person set out to walk to Santiago, friends and family would walk with them to the next village to see them off. After, a mass was read by the Bishop of Gatineau Mgr Ébacher. We then shared lunch and then received our Credencial del Peregrino. This is our passport that allows us access to the refugios or albergue, hostels or inns for pilgrims along the path. It is also proof that you have walked the Camino and allows you to receive your Compostela (sometimes called a Compostelana), a wonderful document written in latin that serves as your proof that you have walked the Camino. Arlette had our names translated into Latin for the Compostela.

I was very touched and felt very lucky to have my family with me, my parents, my sister, my supportive husband Jean-Claude and my wonderful son Sébastien all the way from Vancouver. Several of my friends also came to share this experience with me. Joan & Jacques, Louise & Michel, Jocelyne et Roger, François, Don and Marnie & Paul all walked with me in the morning and several of them were able to stay for Mass and lunch.

When I went up to receive my credencial I was cheered on by my friends and family. I feel as if all of them will be with me and Arlette throughout this journey. They will certainly all be in my heart!

Ten days to go before we fly off! I can't wait.

Go see more photos of this wonderful day!

Michèle

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The Camino de Santiago is one of the most celebrated pilgrimages in the world, dating back to medieval times. Two women, Arlette Henry and Michèle Dextras, both recently retired from long careers working as senior administrators at the University of Ottawa, are setting out across France and Spain, walking close to 1600 km, to hopefully arrive in early July at their ultimate goal, Santiago de Compostella in Spain. They leave on April 17^th, 2008.

Though both have their individual reasons for this trek, they have also offered to link with Parkinson Society Ottawa and Parkinson Society Québec to help raise awareness for this disease. Arlette and Michèle are offering to dedicate several days of their trek walking in honour or in memory of individual groups or persons.

If you would like to honour someone you know or if you would like them to walk a day for you, send an e-mail to arlettemichele@gmail.com. Spread the word and follow their incredible journey!

Le chemin de St-Jacques de Compostelle , Santiago de Compostella, est un des plus importants et des plus anciens pèlerinages au monde. Deux femmes récemment retraitées de l’Université d’Ottawa, Arlette Henry et Michèle Dextras entreprendront ce périple de 1600 km en terre de France et d’Espagne pour atteindre Santiago de Compostella au début juillet. Le départ a lieu le 17 avril prochain.

Même si elles ont toutes les deux des raisons personnelles pour entreprendre ce chemin, elles ont offert de s’associer à la Société Parkinson d’Ottawa et à la Société Parkinson du Québec afin de sensibiliser les gens à cette maladie. Arlette et Michèle ont offert un nombre de jours de marche qu’elles dédieront spécifiquement à des personnes ou des groupes rattachées à notre organisation.

Si vous désirez qu’elles marchent pour vous ou pour une personne que vous connaissez, envoyez un courriel au arlettemichele@gmail.com. Passez le message à votre famille et vos amis et suivez-les durant ce périple incroyable.

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