Acquapendente, second day — Oct 18

Today was curiously different. In the the interest of our aging bodies, today has been a rest day…and it has rained pretty steadily, and should again tomorrow, but we’re ready. Having been rained on repeatedly on the Northern Camino, I have the drill down and have conspired with Jim to do the same.

I might not recommend Acquapendente for a rest stop. There is a combined cathedral/civil museum, but it doesn’t open except Fri-Sun. There was a prisoner of war camp here, but none of my research skills or questions of people have suggested where.

The highlight of our morning was our visits to St. Augustine church, which was nice, and has a pilgrim hostel, and the Cathedral with some impressive modern art and a beautiful crypt shrine for stones upon which Christ’s blood was supposed to have fallen. As an academic, I tend to doubt the veracity of such claims, but as a person of faith, I found this a lovely place to remember His sacrifice. We touched the stone with reverence.

Jim is now onto his second nap. It’s a perfectly lovely day.

Psalm 62:6–9: My soul, be at rest in God alone, from whom comes my hope. God alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not fall. My deliverance and honor are with God, my strong rock; my refuge is with God. Trust God at all times, my people! Pour out your hearts to God our refuge!

Love from your priest,

Fr. Patrick