Stage 9, June 18

We prayed Morning Prayer at 6:15 and enjoyed one of the best breakfasts afterwards. Maggie gave the reflection, reminding  us that climbing a mountain can be like our attempts to pray. Sometimes prayer can be tedious, and we are tempted to give up. Maggie urged us to keep this in mind as we connect our praying with our climbing. We left Aigle by 8:00, because the weather forecast called for thunderstorms in the afternoon. We looked at the Alps ahead of us with awe.

The first 25 miles were relatively easy, with Janet and Maggie leap frogging us with the van. They provided water, nutrition, and dance music at each stop. Donald and Maggie are performing the Francigena Shuffle.

As we contined to climb, the beauty of the mountains helped ease the pain inflicted! I kept Maggie's words in mind.

Maggie not only fed us, but she also provided nourishment to the cows with their bells.

As we contined to climb, it got much colder. Here Maggie celebrates with Paolo and Brad as they put on extra layers. Janet waits patiently in the van.

Maggie decided to jog the last 2 1/2 miles up to the pass. The last 10 miles were brutal, and we all climbed at our own pace, with the grade for the last four miles at 10 percent. As it got colder, we were surrounded by snow as we climbed through the clouds and the hail.

Susan was the last to reach our destination, the Hospice founded by Saint Bernard, a local Saint who lived in the 10th century. This is the highest pass in the Alps at 8,114 feet. As each of us arrived, our emotions were in full display, with lots of tears. We pilgrims understand the emotions of those who complete their journey in Dante's Divine Comedy. For Donald, Lynn, and Maggie Schmid, along with Susan Carozza, this is the final destination. We recounted our climbing experience over coffee and cheese fondu. 

Then we registered at the Hospice, where Brother Frederic warmly welcomed us with hot tea. Brother Frederic is a deacon, who along with three priests and an oblate sister, carry on this incredible ministry begun by Saint Bernard ten centuries ago. They are Augustinians, helped by lay volunteers.

Their ministry is remarkable. For ten centuries, they have welcomed travelers, treated them as they would Christ, with their lives rooted in prayer, the Liturgy of the Hours, and Mass. They are snowed in from October through June . Even now, there is snow everywhere.

Their church is beautiful, and the spirit of prayer and hospitality pervades the place. 

They gave us their Crypt Chapel for Mass. One of their priests, Father Raphael, concelebrated. He too was very welcoming.

After Mass, we enjoyed our last meal together as a group, shared our stories, and drank the champaign which Janet and Maggie had purchased in Hermanville. Evening Prayer followed, with much needed rest !