(bell tolling)
("English Music for Strings" by William Walton playing)
ROGER BABB: This church,
from the moment it was started until today,
has shined with the miracles of the Blessed James:
the sick have been restored to health in it,
the blind have been renewed their eyesight,
the tongues of the dumb have been untied,
the ears of the deaf unplugged,
the prayers of the faithful have been fulfilled,
their wishes granted,
the chains of sin have crumbled,
Heaven has opened to those who knocked at its door,
the afflicted have been given conciliation.
And pilgrims from all parts of the world
have rushed in in large masses,
bringing in praise their gifts to the Lord,
and to Saint James.
("English Music for Strings" continues)
Here begins the Pilgrim's Guide of the Apostle Saint James.
Chapter One: The Roots of Saint James.
(footsteps)
There are four roads leading to Santiago,
which converge to form a single road in Spanish territory.
The road that traverses Sainte-Foy,
the one that proceeds through Saint Leonard,
and the one that passes through Saint-Martin join to form
a single road that leads all pilgrims
to Santiago de Compostela.
(footsteps continue)
(sheep bleating)
There is on the road of Saint James
a very high mountain,
which is called Port de Cize,
because that is the Gate of Spain.
Here, pilgrims, falling on their knees
and turning towards the land of Saint James, offer a prayer.
To him who climbs it,
it seems as if he was able to touch the sky with his hand.
("English Music for Strings" continues)
Holy bodies on this road.
All those who go to Santiago must visit on the way
the most dignified remains of the Blessed Saint Giles,
the remains of the Blessed Martyrs Tiberius,
Modestus and Florence,
and the paladins of Charlemagne,
who lie together in a single grave
from which a soft scent emanates that heals the sick.
In Spain, one ought to visit the remains of the Blessed Martyrs
Facundo and Primitivo
and Domingo the Confessor,
who paved the road between Najera and Redecilla...
and the venerable remains of the Blessed Isidore.
May the saints assist us
with their virtues and prayers.
(lively music playing)
These are the towns that are located on the road to Santiago
after the Somport Pass.
Having climbed over the summit of the mountain,
there is the Hospice of Santa Christina...
then Canfranc,
and then... Jaca.
(lively music continues)
(singing "The Pilgrimage to Santiago" in Latin)
("The Pilgrimage to Santiago" ends)
BEATRICE ROTH: I heard a story.
A band of pilgrims to Santiago
once lost their way
in a wild and mountainous country,
when they saw in the darkness
the Virgin seated on a throne.
With her staff, she lit the pilgrims' way.
So, as a star directs the sailor,
Saint Mary is the pilgrim's true guide.
(people singing in local language)
(song continues)
(indistinct chatter)
(people singing in local language)
(singing continues) (bell tolling)
BABB: After this
lies the land of the Navarrese,
which abounds in bread, wine, and livestock.
At Puente la Reina, a healthy river issues
called the Runa.
But beware of drinking the waters
of the Rio Salado, for they are deadly.
(medieval music playing)
ROTH: A story is told of two valiant pilgrims
who arrived in the city destitute of all.
For long hours they paced its streets
asking for lodging
for the love of God and Saint James,
and yet no one would receive them.
Finally, weakened by hunger and exhaustion,
they were lodged by a very poor man.
That very night, by the effects of divine vengeance,
a violent fire burned the entire street to the ground.
But the house in which the pilgrims had been lodged
remained, by divine grace, untouched.
That is the reason why it should be known
that the servants of Saint James,
whether poor or rich, have the right to hospitality
and to diligent respect.
(distant bell tolling)
(minor-key orchestral music playing)
BABB: After having traversed the forest of Oca,
in the direction of Burgos,
Castilla and Campos follow.
This country is full of treasures.
Follow the road to Tardajos,
Hornillos, Castrojeriz
and Fromista.
(flute music playing)
(music continues)
In the city of Leon, one ought to pay a visit
to the venerable remains of the Blessed Isidore,
who infused the Spanish nation with his doctrines,
and decorated the entire holy church
with the flower of his writings.
(singing in Latin)
ROTH: How a Dead Man Came to Santiago.
A group of pilgrims vowed to stand by each other
on the dangerous journey to Santiago.
But one man grew sick,
and was abandoned on a mountainside
by all but one of his companions.
He died in the arms of his friend
far from the goal of their holy pilgrimage.
But then, a miracle occurred.
Saint James appeared on a radiant white horse.
He bore the two pilgrims, the living and the dead,
to the city of Santiago,
and all rejoiced at their souls' salvation.
(Galician gaita playing)
(upbeat music playing)
(upbeat music continues)
BABB: On the south portal
of the apostolic basilica, there are two entrances.
To the left,
the temptation of the Lord is sculpted.
Before the Lord,
there stands some repellent angels, looking like monsters,
who display before him the kingdoms of the world,
feigning to hand them over to him
if, on his knees, he would adore them; may that never happen.
All told, the whole wall is adorned with men,
saints, beasts, birds, and fishes,
and more works than I can describe here in detail.
In the basilica of the Blessed James,
one cannot find a single crack or defect.
It is admirable built.
Large, spacious.
Luminous.
He who walks through the aisles of the gallery above,
if he ascended in a sad humor,
will leave happy and contented.
(indistinct chatter)
(drum playing)
(medieval music playing)
In this revered basilica,
under the high altar,
rests the body of the Blessed James.
It is divinely lit by paradisiacal jewels,
incessantly honored with immaculate and soft perfumes,
decorated with dazzling celestial candles
and diligently worshiped by attentive angels.
(music continues)
(chanting)
(chanting continues)
(orchestral music playing)