Sabbatical 2022: First Steps

I’ve begun my sabbatical by driving from Madrid to Extremadura, where I’ve been following one of the Caminos a Guadalupe on foot. It seemed right to seek the blessing of Our Lady of Guadalupe before doing the Camino de Santiago de Compostela.
I had to pause at Friar John of Guadalupe Street. Tradition has it that a 14th century farmer was visited by the Virgin Mary, who directed him to a long-lost image of her, carved by St. Luke. (The image had been buried out of fear of invasions.) The nearby Guadalupe River is thought to take its name from the Arabic words for “hidden river.”
The village grew up around the Basilica and Monastery, where the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe resides.
In spending time with Our Lady of Guadalupe (Tonantzin) of Mexico, I’ve been intrigued by the tradition of her elder sister in Spain. After years of reading about this place, it’s amazing to visit in person.
The monastery and basilica reflect a Mudéjar style, a blending of Muslim and Christian gothic I architectural influences.
Our Lady of Guadalupe is all dressed up from Pentecost. The Spanish tradition of Guadalupe feels a bit more formal than ours in the Americas.
The courtyard of the Hospedería (guesthouse) of the monastery, where I’m staying. The third floor cloister way is perfect for my morning yoga before others get up.
Since the monastery has been in the care of Franciscans for some years, there are images of St. Francis all around, such as this garden where I’ve been reading and writing.