A night in a parish church

We Spent the night in a Parrish church Albergue in Logrono. They tried very hard to be sharing and welcoming in a very faith-inspired way. They offered free meal and space, being clear that it was offered, not forced. There was evening mass, and after dinner a blessing in the church by the pastor. The reading was printed in each language, and included psalm 102. Each group of pilgrims was given a part to read in our own language, and could read along with the others. It was respectful and generous, and well-attended and well-received. The pastor prayed that our outer pilgrimage would be blessed and accompanied by an inner pilgrimage as well, and that we be helped and protected on our way. At dinner, it was explained in each language that the Parrish was offering the meal as a way for us to get to know other pilgrims, enriching our experience. We were tight- packed, about 50 people. There were mats on the floor, and a hot shower. Most people slept pretty well. There was no apparent separation or distinction between bicyclists and walking pilgrims. I slept at the far end of the room, next to a big poster of "our lady of hope". The gospel at mass was the one where Jesus says " I call you my friends." He talks about loving each other because God loves us first, and mirroring the love of God. It was a good experience of Christianity, next to all the graphic bloody painful imagery and Gothic intensity of the churches along the way. Most of the pilgrims seem secular, but are interested and gracious, and willing to connect and share.