Pilgrimages

How nice it was when in May there was life beyond exams and final papers. Madrid used to raise many Champions and summer could be seen little by little in the color of the flowers. It also smelled, with that unmistakable aroma of watered urbanization and chlorine pool. May is joy, the month of the mother and, of course, the month of the Virgin, the one who welcomes us so happy when we make a pilgrimage, those we did every year at school.

Children singing to Mary from the back seats of the bus in which they travel to the pilgrimage, to the monastery of San Este or San aquel, a wonderful spring morning in which they all enjoy their snacks together and, one or the other, generously share their Pringles while everyone smiles at her, joyful and fresh as the flowers that come there to lay at the feet of the Virgin who reigns over all, over the families and over the school.  

Laughter between balls and balls of the Rosario, The one that they pray with music and with voices still of a child. The pray for us y always, always, always There is someone who makes a mess of the even numbered mysteries, and the teachers also burst out laughing. Requests of all kinds are made, without fear or shame, and Our Lady does nothing but welcome them and give them affection. 

Years have passed and, probably, we can no longer dedicate a whole day to the pilgrimage. Well, there is no need either, any small moment is perfect for this plan.  

My friends and I have patented a perfect format for very serious busy people (although we still don't know with what). For several years now we have been meeting in the late afternoon at the Sanctuary of Valverde, Montecarmelo, where we pray one or two rosaries. We are always confronted with our lack of punctuality, and it is already several times that the janitor closes the Sanctuary in our face. This year he blew the final whistle in the middle of the fifth mystery, leaving us no discount for the litanies. 

At the end of the day, sometimes a bit hasty, we all gathered in a bar to celebrate. And if a birthday or a graduation are good reasons to get together, why not Mother's month? We have changed the sandwiches for beers and, now, instead of asking for the match between 5ºA and 5ºB, we ask for internships, interviews and future engagements. 

Anyway, the years go by and it is inevitable that things change, many for the better. We will go new places and with other people, but always under the same mantle.