In a small temple, shielded by ancient stones, a small altar was erected and candles lit.
The smell of incense and the soulful chanting of Ave Maria added to the holy and mystical of that moment. The three Knights were dressed in their finest, their swords gleaming in the candlelight. The few attending formed a circle around Andres, as Tomas spoke words in a language I could not understand, or perhaps was not meant to understand. His voice ebbed and flowed, at times not even sounding like his own, heightening the aura of mystery that engulfed us. The energy was palpable, moving among us, sharing its presence and ancient wisdom. When the ceremony was consecrated with the blood (wine) and the body (bread) of Christ, I felt as if I too had received a blessing from the most high for my journey ahead, and that it was time to leave.
On the eve of my departure, Tomas surprised me with a call that he had made to a Dutch pilgrim friend named Jeanette Albers. She had walked from Amsterdam to Jerusalem a year earlier by going to Bari, southern Italy, and then catching a boat to Tel Aviv. Our conversation was brief because of the poor mobile reception at those heights, but less than three months later, as I was making my way to Rome to start my pilgrimage, I would meet Jeanette, and also Johanna van Fessem, another Dutch pilgrim who walked from The Hague to Jerusalem taking a completely different route. These women would stand as my oracles in the moments leading up to my walk, filling me with the confidence to continue on this path of peace I had chosen and to allow this way, under the dictates of my heart, to lead me.
It was my last day, and emotions were running high. Besides the natural excitement, there was also the sadness of leaving not only good friends but companions of the Way. Tomas handed me a red Tau pendant that he had carved and painted. Placing it under a portrait of the archangel Michael, he prayed for my safe arrival and asked him to help me find the courage, strength, truth and integrity to walk this path. I would wear this Tau from that day onwards until I arrived in Jerusalem. He also presented me with a letter, written in Spanish and sealed with the Knights Templar stamp, making it known that I was walking under their protection and asking those who read it to help me on my way. More than words, that letter carried with it their energy and strength, and I would not only bring it all the way to Jerusalem, but would turn to it every once and again when my own strength faltered.
I had received so much more than I expected in Manjarin: a link to a past and future that were indefinably intertwined; a blessing from the most high; and the rekindling of a bond forged by time. I felt protected, and as I walked under the Templars’ drawn swords, I knew that I would make it to Jerusalem and that, in their own way, they too were walking with me.
Pilgrim Mony Dojeiji
Canada
walkingforpeace.com
Completed first Camino in 2001 Mony Dojeiji is a pilgrim who walked the Camino Francés in 2001 and later that year embarked on a 5000-kilometer, 13-country, 13-month walk for peace with fellow Spanish pilgrim Alberto Agraso. Details of their journey can be found on their website http://walkingforpeace.com.