Stage 12, June 22

After morning prayer and breakfast, we left the agriturismo in perfect weather. Although it was warm, we moved pretty quickly, averaging about 19 miles an hour, because we used a paceline. We were grateful that it was Sunday, because there was not much traffic in Pavia.

As we rode through one of the small villages, we had to change our route. The local parish was having a Corpus Christi procession, and we remarked that we are the Body of Christ traveling through Italy. We stopped for a snack after 37 miles at Piacenza. The cathedral is beautiful.

The lions supporting the columns in front of the cathedral reminded me the St. Pius Lions.

After eating the best gelato so far in Italy, we went into the Cathedral. Our visit was brief, because the priest was just beginning the noon Mass.

Like life, every pilgrimage has its difficult part. After leaving the cathedral in Reims, Paolo's front tire touched my rear wheel while we were descending at 25 miles an hour. He fell, and the sound of his falling on the road was horrible. Although he did not break any bones, he was badly hurt and had a lot of road rash and bruises. During the last few days, his body has been healing itself. That he could keep up with us is truly remarkable, a sign of his incredible strength.  We continue to pray for his healing knowing that this pilgrimage would not have happened without his hard work.  

We stopped for lunch at Fidenza, and you can see that Marielle, Evonne, and Janet were enjoying their lunch. Eating together is one of the best things we do. As in life, walking or biking together on pilgrimage requires adjustments when people leave and new people join the group. We are making those adjustments, realizing our strengths and weaknesses as individuals.

We began climbing into the hills from the flat plain, and we arrived at our agricultrismo. The host and hostess could not be more welcoming!

I love these places , because we interact with local people, share their lives, and enjoy their great food!

Marielle is learning how to wash laundry by hand, and Tony and Bill know how to wash the bikes.

After Mass, some friends of Paolo came from Milan. We sat down to the best meal we have enjoyed in this entire pilgrimage. We began eating at 7:30, and completed our dinner at 10:30. It was unbelievable.

After praying evening prayer, we all went to bed, knowing that we need to rest for tomorrow's climb up the Apennines.