Our Lady of the Nahuel Huapi is the Patron Saint of Bariloche and its cathedral. The images inside this catholic temple show the indigenist roots of evangelization in Patagonia.
We discovered Bariloche’s church cathedral as soon as we reached the city. Close to the shore of Lake Nahuel Huapi and surrounded by a line of tall pine-trees, it does not go unnoticed.
This house of prayer features a Neo-gothic style with simple lines, very high walls and a dome crowned with a significant crucifix and a globe. Inside, its classical construction in the shape of a Latin cross combines perfectly with the simplicity outside.
Upon entering the building past its thick wooden gates, we stopped at the hall to appreciate two important figures. One of them was made of stone and it represented the image of Our Lady of the Nahuel Huapi holding Child Jesus in her arms and resting her right hand on the shoulder of a native child. The second one was carved in wood and it featured Ceferino Namuncurá wearing his classic poncho pampa. Both of them are enough evidence of the missionary message of the Church.
The indigenist roots of evangelization in Patagonia
It does not go unnoticed
High-rise and simplicity
Neo-gothic style with simple lines
We were surprised to learn that the cathedral was put under the protection of Our Lady of the Nahuel Huapi by Monsignor Essandi and that such image had accompanied the ancient mission founded by Father Mascardi during the seventeenth century.
We reached the central nave almost in silence, as if accompanying that very high and simple resonance box. It was held by large columns and the walls were made of local stone. At the altar, a large crucified Jesus Christ prevailed.
The colorful Byzantine stained glasses occupied a predominant position in the last stage of the construction of the cathedral. The image of the Patron Saint stood completely transparent in the altar in front. What is particular about these stained glass figures is that they offered a tribute to their own artisans. The faces of the missionaries Mascardi and Melanesio and of all those who gave their life to the Church, namely builders Alejandro Bustillo and Miguel Angel Césari, were assigned to Biblical characters (Saint Raphael Archangel, Saint Michael Archangel, etc).
These stained glass windows let the sunlight in during the day and the artificial lights at night. When the sun sets, the church comes to a new life: the illumination outside seems to make its walls higher and to highlight its construction details.
We thought the details carved in local wood were quite significant. They were present in the long well-finished pews, in the side altars and the confessional booths.
The building was raised by architect Alejandro Bustillo in 1946. A staircase of six steps made of stone provides majesty to the cathedral entrance through the main gate.
After touring around the entire venue, we left the church feeling quite pleased that it was surrounded by two blocks of excellent green parks. Several religious images and benches to enjoy outdoor life perfectly combined with the peace we had just experienced inside.
Several days later, we attended a choir presentation that gave us a different image of the same cathedral: a place for liturgical meetings but also to encounter and enjoy culture. Another outstanding feature of Bariloche’s cathedral.
Mónica Pons Eduardo Epifanio
How to get here: San Carlos de Bariloche Cathedral Our Lady of the Nahuel Huapí Almirante O’Connor Ave. and Beschtedt St.
The Star of David is an ancient symbol of Judaism (see Drashot Ben Ish Chai, ki teitzei). The oldest complete manuscript of the Hebrew Bible, known as the Leningrad Codex (dated 1008CE), has a "Star of David" on its cover page.
Is there a sign that the Hebrew word "Yisrael" (ישראל) and the "Star of David" figurate are mathematically connected?
The mathematical formula for "Star of David" (Hexagram) figurate numbers is
Star(n) = 6n(n-1)+1
The Star of David (Hexagram) figurate is formed by the merging of two triangle Figurates. For example, two 28 dot triangle figurates can be merged to form a 37 Star of David figurate.
Triangular Numbers
A pool game, for example, is made up of 15 identical size billiard balls.
15 is a triangular number. Thus, the 15 balls can be arranged into a perfect triangle figurate.
If there were 14 balls or 16 balls, this would not be possible.
Examples of triangular numbers are 3, 6, 10, 15, 21, 28, 36, 45, etc.
Their mathematical formula is:
Triangle(n) = n(n+1)/2
Let us now look at the Star of David (Hexagram) numbers according to their formula:
Star(n) = 6n(n-1)+1
1
6×1(1-1)+1
=
1
2
6×2(2-1)+1
=
13
3
6×3(3-1)+1
=
37
4
6×4(4-1)+1
=
73
5
6×5(5-1)+1
=
121
6
6×6(6-1)+1
=
181
7
6×7(7-1)+1
=
253
8
6×8(8-1)+1
=
337
9
6×9(9-1)+1
=
433
10
6×10(10-1)+1
=
541
..
..
..
All these numbers are and always will be beautiful Star of David numbers.
Let us now look at the Hebrew word "Yisrael" (ישראל).
Gematria of Yisrael
ל
א
ר
ש
י
30
1
200
300
10
Total=541
Our name "Yisrael" stems from the Torah:
"G-d said to him, 'your name is Yaakov. Your name shall no longer be called Yaakov, but Yisrael shall be your name', and He named him Yisrael" (Gen.35:10).
G-d Himself granted us this name after Yaakov, our forefather, vanquished the angel of Eisav which he (spiritually) wrestled with (Genesis 32:23-31).
This angel was the Satan himself.
Satan
=
שטן
=
359
Yaakov
=
יעקב
=
+182
Yisrael
=
ישראל
=
541
Total
Yaakov won the struggle and transformed the power of evil to the power of good and this joined with his old name to grant him the new name - Yisrael.
Do you recognize the number 541?
It is none other than the 10th Star of David number.
It is interesting that Yaakov received the name Yisrael after defeating the Satan.
Yisrael hints to a perfect/whole man - Tiferet Yisrael (the splendor of Yisrael).
Center Point
541 is the exact center point of 1081
1--------------------1081
^ 541
Tiferet (תפארת) = 1081 and Yisrael ישראל = 541
For Yaakov, the man of truth (Michah 7:20), had all his 10 Sefirot rectified properly (he also became a Merkava (chariot) for the Sefirah of Tiferet).
10 is a whole/collective number. Thus, G-d created the world with 10 utterances and gave us the 10 commandments.
This is why the name G-d granted to us after Yaakov defeated the power of evil is the 10th star of David number.
The statistical odds of the Hebrew name Yisrael having gematria of 541 are slightly more than 1 percent (see video). Thus, the chance of this being designed is about 99 percent.
There is much to elaborate on this.
For example, the inner hexagon of Yisrael has 271 dots.
The 12 triangles in the Magen David have 45 dots (Gematria of Adam).
Every diagonal has 37 rows, and much much more.
Interestingly, 541 = 100th prime number = 102
Snowflakes
One of the most striking examples of natural artistry in the inanimate world is in the formation of snowflakes. Each snowflake is a miracle of beauty, a masterpiece of design and no one design seems to ever be repeated. Amazingly, snowflakes typically have a Magen David or an outline of it discernible in the center. Here is a picture of a real typical snowflake under a microscope.
Zion Star
The Torah commands us: "speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, you shall be holy, for I the L-rd your G-d am holy." (Lev.19:2).
The final verse in this weekly portion (Kedoshim) has 2701 Gematria[1]. For this torah portion contains the purpose of creation - to become holy like G-d.
"And they shall make Me a sanctuary and I will dwell in their midst" (Ex.25:8).
And in the "Path of the Just" ch.26 (final chapter):
"But for the holy man who constantly clings to his G-d, whose soul treads freely among true thoughts in love of his Creator and fear of Him, behold, it is considered as if he is walking before G-d in the Land of the Living, while still here in this world.
Such a man is himself considered as a Tabernacle, a Temple and an altar. For the Shechina (divine presence) dwells within him just as it dwelled in the Temple [of Jerusalem]. Due to this, the food he eats is like a sacrifice offered upon the fire of the altar, for certainly it was a great elevation for those things to be offered on the altar, since they were offered before the Shechinah."
Amazingly:
The Gematria of "Zion", the place of the Temple:
=
ציון (Zion)
=
156
The Gematria of "Shechina" (divine presence):
=
שכינה (Shechina)
=
385
Total: 156 + 385 = 541 (Israel)
The 10th Star of David figurate (Israel) is composed of a frame and inner part. Amazingly, this splits into 156/385 for Zion/Shechinah.
And in the daily prayers, we say: "And may our eyes behold Your return to Zion in mercy. Blessed are You L-rd, who restores His Shechinah to Zion"
156 is also the Gematria of "Yosef" who was the epitome of the "Tzadik" (righteous person)[2]. For as before, the job of the Tzadik is to become a Temple for G-d's holiness just like Zion was the Temple for G-d's Shechina (divine presence[3]) (heard from Oren Evron).
Interestingly, the "Zionist" movement to resettle the land of Israel consisted mainly of secular Jews. For they wanted the land of Israel as a sort of nationalist motive. But their motives lacked the Shechinah aspect. Thus, divine providence arranged it that the Israeli flag of the "Zionists" was that of the frame of the star of David only. But the real purpose of Israel is to also bring the Shechinah into the world. (and likewise, for marriage between husband and wife - to build a torah home where the Shechinah can dwell. All this and more is symbolized in the Star of David!)
María Eva Duarte de Perón (Spanish pronunciation:[maˈɾi.aˈeβaˈðwarteðepeˈɾon]; néeMaría Eva Duarte; 7 May 1919 – 26 July 1952), better known as just Eva Perón or by the nickname Evita (Spanish:[eˈβita]), was an Argentine politician, activist, actress, and philanthropist who served as First Lady of Argentina from June 1946 until her death in July 1952, as the wife of Argentine PresidentJuan Perón. She was born in poverty in the rural village of Los Toldos, in the Pampas, as the youngest of five children. In 1934, at the age of 15, she moved to the nation's capital of Buenos Aires to pursue a career as a stage, radio, and film actress. She became a central figure of Peronism and Argentine culture because of the Eva Perón Foundation, a charitable organization that had a huge impact in Argentine society.
She met Colonel Juan Perón on 22 January 1944 during a charity event at the Luna Park Stadium to benefit the victims of an earthquake in San Juan, Argentina. The two were married the following year. Juan Perón was elected President of Argentina in June 1946; during the next six years, Eva Perón became powerful within the pro-Peronist trade unions, primarily for speaking on behalf of labor rights. She also ran the Ministries of Labor and Health, founded and ran the charitable Eva Perón Foundation, championed women's suffrage in Argentina, and founded and ran the nation's first large-scale female political party, the Female Peronist Party.
In 1951, Eva Perón announced her candidacy for the Peronist nomination for the office of Vice President of Argentina, receiving great support from the Peronist political base, low-income and working-class Argentines who were referred to as descamisados or "shirtless ones" (similar to the term “sans-culottes” during the French Revolution). Opposition from the nation's military and bourgeoisie, coupled with her declining health, ultimately forced her to withdraw her candidacy.[1] In 1952, shortly before her death from cancer at 33, Eva Perón was given the title of "Spiritual Leader of the Nation of Argentina" by the Argentine Congress.[2][3][4] She was given a state funeral upon her death, a prerogative generally reserved for heads of state.
Eva's 1951 biography, La Razón de mi Vida,[8] contains no dates or references to childhood occurrences, and does not list the location of her birth or her name at birth.[9] According to Junín's civil registry, a birth certificate shows that one María Eva Duarte was born on May 7, 1919. Her baptismal certificate lists the date of birth as May 7, 1919 under the name Eva María Ibarguren.[10][11] It is thought that in 1945 the adult Eva Perón created a forgery of her birth certificate for her marriage.[12][page needed]
Eva Perón spent her childhood in Junín, Buenos Aires province. Her father, Juan Duarte,[13] was descended from French Basque immigrants. Her mother, Juana Ibarguren, was descended from Spanish Basque immigrants.[14] Juan Duarte, a wealthy rancher from nearby Chivilcoy, already had a wife and family there. At that time in rural Argentina, it was not uncommon for a wealthy man to have multiple families.[15]
When Eva was a year old, Duarte returned permanently to his legal family, leaving Juana Ibarguren and her children in abject poverty. They were forced to move to the poorest area of Junín. Los Toldos was a village in the dusty region of Las Pampas, with a reputation as a desolate place of poverty. To support herself and her children, Ibarguren sewed clothes for neighbors. The family was stigmatized by the abandonment of the father and by the illegitimate status of the children under Argentine law, and was consequently somewhat isolated.[16] A desire to expunge this part of her life might have been a motivation for Eva to arrange the destruction of her original birth certificate in 1945.[12][page needed][17]
When Duarte suddenly died and his mistress and their children sought to attend his funeral, there was an unpleasant scene at the church gates. Although Juana and the children were permitted to enter and pay their respects, they were promptly directed out of the church. Duarte's widow did not want her late husband's mistress and children at the funeral and, as she was the legitimate wife, her orders were respected.[18
Esto me intriga. La primera vez que quise orientar un telescopio en Bariloche me encontré con que las calles del centro, que parecen correr de norte a sur, en realidad están un poco rotadas hacia el sudoeste-noreste. ¿Cuánto? Entre 7 y 8 grados, como podemos ver en Google Earth (podemos hoy, cuando lo descubrí no existía Earth). No parece mucho, pero para la puesta en estación de un telescopio astronómico es bastante. Así que las calles no servían, y hay que usar una brújula para acomodar la montura aproximadamente hacia el norte. Así que me compré una brújula, y resultó que ¡la brújula sí apuntaba exactamente en dirección de las calles!
El fenómeno se llama declinación magnética: el campo magnético terrestre, que se origina en las profundidades del planeta, no está exactamente alineado con el eje de rotación. Para complicar las cosas esta declinación no es la misma en toda la superficie de la Tierra. Hoy en día podemos averiguar la declinación magnética usando esta calculadora del NOAA. Vemos que en Bariloche corresponde a la inclinación de las calles.
OK, me dije. Seguro que cuando trazaron las calles a principios del siglo XX usaron una brújula y les quedó así. ¿Quién lo habría hecho? ¿Carlos Wiederhold, el "fundador" no oficial de Bariloche? Parece que no. Hace poco leí una nota en el diario local El Cordillerano, donde se cuenta que un capitán del ejército, Mariano Fósbery, hizo construir en 1902 una comisaría, un juzgado de paz, un cuartel y trazó las calles originales. Fósbery era jefe del escuadrón de caballería estacionado en San Martín de los Andes, y fue enviado a la costa sur del Nahuel Huapi, donde desde 1895 venía estableciéndose una pequeña población alrededor de la primera casa y almacén construidos por Don Carlos. El 3 de mayo de ese año el Presidente Roca destinó 400 hectáreas para el pueblo de San Carlos, fecha que celebramos hoy en día como cumpleaños de Bariloche. ¿Puede haber sido el capitán Fósbery, en su celo militar, quien trazó las calles brújula en mano? Parecía una explicación lógica.
Finalmente descubrí que no era posible. El campo magnético de la Tierra va cambiando. Sabemos inclusive que a intervalos irregulares, cada tantas decenas de miles de años el campo se invierte. Y 100 años son suficientes para percibirlo. En el mismo NOAA puede consultarse la declinación magnética del pasado. Para la región del Nahuel Huapi, en el año 1902, se veía así. La línea resaltada en amarillo, que pasa cerca de Bariloche, es de 17 grados. ¡Mucho más que ahora! Así que me queda la duda del origen de los 8 grados de declinación de las calles. Hoy mismo la declinación en mi casa es de 6.6 grados, casi un grado menos que en el 2000 cuando noté el fenómeno.
¿En algún lado el norte verdadero coincidirá con el magnético? Claro que sí. La línea de cero grados de declinacón magnética cruza la Argentina en diagonal, desde Mendoza hasta el Golfo San Matías. Los afortunados astrónomos que viven sobre ella pueden usar sus brújulas para acomodar sus telescopios.
Este tramado de líneas se va moviendo lentamente hacia el oeste. Dentro de 50 años el cero estará sobre Bariloche. ¡Yupi!
The knight Templar raised his sword to the sky. There are Gregorian chants playing in the background and incense burning. He says: “Non nobis Domine, non nobis, sed nomini tuo da gloriam”. The other 4 Templars repeat the phrase while they thump their chest with their right hand. He lowers the sword making an arc in front of a sculpture of the Virgin Mary of Fatima. He then pointed to the flags of Palestine and Israel and prays for peace. After the ceremony and prayers he shares another message before I am sent to bed: “You have just come from the Iron Cross, an energetic center of the Camino, which has been there since before the time of Christ. We are sons of light. Let the interior Camino transform you as it has the power to do so. May the forces of light, which we call angels, be with you in the remaining days.”
The stages covered in this blog post are in the province of Castilla y Leon. They include: Santa Catalina de Somoza – Manjarin – Ponferrada – Villafranca del Bierzo.
The Soul of a Hospitalero
One of the Camino phenomenons is that of the hospitalero. A hospitalero is the person that receives pilgrims in the albergues, the person that offers them rest and shelter. A hospitalero is a volunteer, it is a labor of love. Some do it for a week, some stay for months, some treat it as a vocation and are full-time hospitaleros. Not all albergues in the Camino have this aspect due to commercialization, but many do. I asked a hospitalero who has done this for years and she tells me that the fuel of a hospitalero is to travel without moving, to meet those true pilgrims that are genuinely grateful and kind. Another older hospitalero told me that she wishes to be a grandmother to the pilgrims she receives in the albergue. It’s sad knowing this how some pilgrims think they are arriving at 5 star hotels and complain when their comfort expectations are not met. Nowadays most people who wish to volunteer as a hospitalero sign up with an association. For example organizations like “Friends of the Camino of La Rioja region” or “Dutch Friends of the Camino” and are given a schedule in January of the weeks they would volunteer for.
The hospitalero attitude brings to mind 2 Corinthians 9:12-13: For this service you perform not only meets the needs of fellow believers, but also produces in many an outpouring of gratitude to God. And because of the proof which this service of yours brings, many will give glory to God for your loyalty to the gospel of Christ, which you profess, and for your generosity in sharing with all.
From the Pyrenees to The Iron Cross
From the farmland and hills on the Pyrenees, to the monster mountain crossing of Roncesvalles, to the pouring rain and mud paths in Navarra, to the vineyards and flower fields of La Rioja, to the flatlands of Castilla y Leon. The Way has an ever-changing scenery. It has been weeks since I’ve had a climb. Now the mountain of the Iron Cross awaits.
Wolves and Boars
“The wolf is a violent animal”. Bienvenido, a pastor, tells me in the morning.
Bienvenido
Yesterday evening I was walking alone and saw two large black beasts a few meters from me. It turned into a horrifying 30 minutes as I made my way to the next town. If one of them attacked me, there were no people around and no nearby streets for cars to pass by and see me.
As I further listen to Bienvenido, I rub my hands to keep them from freezing: “A few years ago I fell asleep by a tree and when I woke up it had already slaughtered 14 of my sheep. The wolf kills for sport. It would’ve killed all 100 before taking what it needed for food”. I describe what I saw and he tells me that it was a couple of wild boars. He notices I’m struggling to keep my hands warm and gives me some wool gloves as a gift. He knows where I’m going and he knows that in the mountain it’s going to get worse.
Hooded Monks
It is the climb to the “Cruz de Ferro” or the Iron Cross. It sits on top of a Celtic mount dating from the time before Christ. Some say it shows that the Camino has pagan origins long before it became the well-known christian pilgrimage of today.
My walk takes me up to the town or Rabanal. There I arrive just before the noon mass in a romanic church. It is presided by an order of monks wearing pointed hoods. The mass has substantial portions in latin which are chanted by them. On this day the church celebrates Pentecost, which is the event where the holy spirit came unto the followers of Jesus. A portion of the readings would provide me with courage for what lay ahead:
“For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a Spirit of adoption, through whom we cry, “Abba, Father!”
Cruz de Ferro
After the mass I start the most difficult part of the climb. Within a few hours I reach Foncebadon, which is a town surrounded by ruins. It has only a handful of houses and offers albergues to pilgrims who wish to rest and go all the way to the top the next day. I stop to talk with some pilgrim friends staying there but I feel drawn to go further. After reaching the top I find the tall Iron Cross. There is a pilgrim tradition where you take a small stone from your home and carry it all the way here to leave it by the Iron Cross. Doing this can symbolize something you are giving up or want to let go of. Some people say a prayer for themselves or others.
A Snow Storm Takes Me To The Ruins
I start walking beyond the Cruz de Ferro and within a few minutes it starts to snow. I was still over an hour from the next town with albergues when I pass through the mountain village of Manjarin, which is surrounded in ruins. One of them was partly rebuilt and drew my attention. I stop by and I’m greeted by a man, some tea and cookies. He is a Templar. He offers me refuge and I accept. The place is austere, lacks running water and is not connected to the electric grid. You can imagine what type of basic services I lacked that evening.
Soldiers of God
The Templars are known for their code of honor, their knights, and their ties to the crusades. They were officially endorsed by the Catholic Church in 1129. Their role is the protection of Christian pilgrims, particularly those on the way to Jerusalem. They are also known as the “Poor fellow soldiers of Christ”. They had close to 20,000 members at its peak. They were an order that attempted to reconcile two activities that are seemingly incompatible: the religious life with the military life. Some of their later chapels went on to have features of all 3 major monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. They grew so powerful and resourceful that they could arguably qualify as the world’s first multinational corporation. This along with rumors about their “secret society activities” led to distrust among the kingdoms and the church. After a few hundred years they were suppressed and condemned as heretics.
With Miche in the morning
I go down before dinner to the round table. They all stare at me as Miche asks me one question: “Where are you headed?” To which I could’ve replied “To Santiago”, but instead I answered “To where the Camino calls me to go”. I’ve answered rightly he confirms. He then pours some wine and shares some of their history and the Templar code with me. They are unorthodox christians. They regard Mary, the mother of Jesus, as the human form of the Creative Essence. According to them it has always existed and gave birth to the universe. They also believe in reincarnation and are mystical in their religious views. They recognize “Equality Among All” as the truth that Jesus came to reveal and they fight to protect that truth. Miche, the one who asked me the question, has a walking pilgrimage record that will trump anyone’s. He has walked from Spain to Jerusalem and the Inca Trail from the southern tip of Argentina to Mexico. In many ways they were also like a typical family, having disagreements, discussions and poking fun at each other. The meal with chicken soup, salad, baked potatoes and chicken wings was delicious.
Making My Way Down The Mountain
The next morning one of the first pilgrims I met was Holger from Germany. He has witnessed several of my late evening walks and arrivals with shock. The previous morning I met him at a café where I shared one of my sayings on the Camino: “God protects his pilgrims”. He asked me more about it and I shared the Camino changing experience I had in Tosantos and my newfound trust in God’s providence. Holger would always walk fast and with a definite goal. Today, coming down from the mountain he was a changed man. He was walking almost as if dancing, with his head rocking from left to right. He didn’t even notice he passed me by until I called for his attention. I asked what was new and he said he was in a trance. He’s also had a Camino changing experience and now walks with no particular destination, or a distance goal. He is living the Camino. He is happy and I rejoice in witnessing that.
Vineyards are now growing leafs
At the end of the day in the Ponferrada albergue I would be introduced to Sofia from Portugal. Our first conversation was short and uninteresting. We would be coinciding multiple times in the next few days. She would later become a major part of this journey and challenge my capacity even beyond Santiago.
The Wounded Warrior
The Templar castle in Ponferrada
The next of the Six Stages of Manhood is the Wounded Warrior. Going up the mountain I felt like a conquering warrior, on a mission motivated by love and standing for truth. The days after descending from the mountain felt like a falling out. Every day seemed like a mistake. The extraordinary faded, the magic of the Camino ceased. It grew mundane and dull. I tried to follow a path, but it felt forced and bore no fruit. I felt like I was trying to clean up a mess and feared I would not recover the same spirit for the rest of the Camino. Maybe I was not living a true adventure after all. Maybe I just got lucky to stumble into these extraordinary experiences. Maybe it’s time to face the truth and live the ordinary.
I reach the “Ave Fenix” albergue emotionally exhausted. I grow resentful as I feel more and more isolated from the spirit of the Camino. I see people experiencing wonder and joy with each other and the hospitaleros, but those doors seem closed to me. My heart is heavy and I decide to leave the albergue after 10pm because I cannot bear it anymore. I realize only one week remains and it dawns upon me with great sadness. I feel lost and choose to wander in the cold night in a place I don’t know.
I went out with the intention of being in the vicinity for 10 minutes but I kept walking further. It is almost 11pm and the albergue is about to close. I run in the dark and arrive 5 minutes before but it is already closed and I’m shivering from the cold. It is a large and thick wooden door from centuries ago with no doorbell of course. Out of desperation I start screaming like a madman until the hospitalero comes down and opens. I start a heated argument with him for self-righteous reasons. Here I am thinking of how the Camino is transforming my life for the better and look how pride quickly makes me stumble. After I’m done I notice other pilgrims in shock staring at me and the spectacle I made. I feel shame that quickly leads to anger. I sit down alone with the excuse that I’m waiting for my phone to charge. My morale is at its lowest in the Camino, it is the bottom of the abyss. Afterwards, everybody goes up to sleep and I start to cry. I stayed there until exhaustion took me out.
The Phoenix
I was staying in an Albergue called the “Ave Fenix” and at the time I didn’t realize what it meant. The “Phoenix Bird” is a mythological creature that dies by consuming itself with fire. It then obtains new life by being reborn out of its ashes. The anguish and resentment I felt was like a fire consuming me from the inside. I was dying to myself and the Camino. I was immersed in darkness and couldn’t see beyond myself. They say Hope is a Light, but I had no hope and I dreaded the days ahead.
The next day I would climb O Cebreiro. It is the toughest part of the Camino after going over the Pyrenees and makes the climb to the Iron Cross feel like a teaser. It is almost mythical, since it is where the modern Camino was reborn. It will also be the place where my Camino will be born again to a life beyond my initial expectations. I will be choosing to give up some of the adventures I planned to have after the Camino, and instead take on the path of a servant.
Tomas el Templario
Meeting Kay again
Entrance to the village of El Rabanal
The lower portion of the trunk of the Cruz de Ferro
VIDEO | 22 de Julio de 1947: Evita es recibida por Vicent Auriol, el presidente de Francia
Tuvo una agenda bastante apretada, con importantes reuniones para firmar acuerdos internacionales.
La “Gira del Arco Iris” de Evita por Europa y Sudamérica se realizó con el objetivo de fortalecer relaciones en el exterior, en un contexto de post Segunda Guerra Mundial. La primera dama fue enviada por Juan Domingo Perón para representar al gobierno peronista y al país. En primer lugar, llegó a España, donde se entrevistó con el general Francisco Franco y miles de españoles se rindieron a sus pies. Después se instaló en Italia, Portugal, Francia, Suiza, Mónaco, el Vaticano, Brasil y Uruguay.
El 22 de julio de 1947, la “abanderada de los humildes” llegó a Paris. Fue recibida por Georges Bidault, ministro de Exteriores francés. Además, la esperaba un grupo de mujeres y de niños que se mezclaban con las banderas de Argentina y de Francia. Las autoridades de la capital del país galo pusieron a disposición de Eva el automóvil del general Charles De Gaulle, un honor que hasta el momento sólo se había reservado para el primer ministro británico Winston Churchill. Con ese rodado, la oriunda de Los Toldos conoció la catedral de Notre Dame.
Evita ingresó a Notre Dame y se entrevistó con el monseñor Roncalli, quien en 1958 se convertiría en Papa y recibiría la denominación de Juan XXIII. Fuentes cercanas a la primera dama, sostienen que durante la entrevista que tuvieron, la joven argentina de 27 años le explicó la idea de realizar una fundación de ayuda social (la cual crearía al regresar al país) y recibió como respuesta: “Le recomiendo dos cosas: que prescinda por completo de todo papelerío burocrático, y que se consagre sin límites a su tarea”. Ambas las cumplió con excelencia.
Durante el tiempo en Francia, Evita estuvo hospedada en el Hotel Ritz. Tuvo una agenda bastante cargada de reuniones para firmar acuerdos internacionales. Uno de ellos fue con el presidente Vincent Auriol, con quien firmó un tratado que incluía el intercambio en particular de cuero, carne, cereales, aceites, y quebracho a cambio de acero, automóviles, diversos productos mecánicos, y en particular máquinas textiles, productos químicos.
“En su entrevista con el ministro de Relaciones Exteriores, Georges Bidault, uno de los principales dirigentes de la resistencia interior a la ocupación alemana, Evita le planteó que era muy desagradable que Francia, país amigo de la Argentina, tuviera una calle en París y una estación del Métropolitain que se llamara Obligado, por la batalla de la Vuelta de Obligado. Le recordó que la Escuadra naval anglofrancesa había logrado ganar la batalla, pero había pedido la guerra. Y le pidió que le cambiaran el nombre.
Dos días después, cuando se firmaban los acuerdos comerciales por los cuales la Argentina otorgaba a Francia un crédito para compras de cereales de 200 millones de dólares, el presidente Vincent Auriol le comunicó que en aras de la renovada amistad franco argentina serían cambiados los nombres de la estación del Métropolitain y de la calle”. De esta manera, la calle Vuelta de Obligado pasó a denominarse “d’Argentine”. Evita, una luz en la historia argentina que dejó su rastro en París.
VIDEO | 22 de Julio de 1947: Evita es recibida por Vicent Auriol, el presidente de Francia
Tuvo una agenda bastante apretada, con importantes reuniones para firmar acuerdos internacionales.
La “Gira del Arco Iris” de Evita por Europa y Sudamérica se realizó con el objetivo de fortalecer relaciones en el exterior, en un contexto de post Segunda Guerra Mundial. La primera dama fue enviada por Juan Domingo Perón para representar al gobierno peronista y al país. En primer lugar, llegó a España, donde se entrevistó con el general Francisco Franco y miles de españoles se rindieron a sus pies. Después se instaló en Italia, Portugal, Francia, Suiza, Mónaco, el Vaticano, Brasil y Uruguay.
El 22 de julio de 1947, la “abanderada de los humildes” llegó a Paris. Fue recibida por Georges Bidault, ministro de Exteriores francés. Además, la esperaba un grupo de mujeres y de niños que se mezclaban con las banderas de Argentina y de Francia. Las autoridades de la capital del país galo pusieron a disposición de Eva el automóvil del general Charles De Gaulle, un honor que hasta el momento sólo se había reservado para el primer ministro británico Winston Churchill. Con ese rodado, la oriunda de Los Toldos conoció la catedral de Notre Dame.
Evita ingresó a Notre Dame y se entrevistó con el monseñor Roncalli, quien en 1958 se convertiría en Papa y recibiría la denominación de Juan XXIII. Fuentes cercanas a la primera dama, sostienen que durante la entrevista que tuvieron, la joven argentina de 27 años le explicó la idea de realizar una fundación de ayuda social (la cual crearía al regresar al país) y recibió como respuesta: “Le recomiendo dos cosas: que prescinda por completo de todo papelerío burocrático, y que se consagre sin límites a su tarea”. Ambas las cumplió con excelencia.
Durante el tiempo en Francia, Evita estuvo hospedada en el Hotel Ritz. Tuvo una agenda bastante cargada de reuniones para firmar acuerdos internacionales. Uno de ellos fue con el presidente Vincent Auriol, con quien firmó un tratado que incluía el intercambio en particular de cuero, carne, cereales, aceites, y quebracho a cambio de acero, automóviles, diversos productos mecánicos, y en particular máquinas textiles, productos químicos.
“En su entrevista con el ministro de Relaciones Exteriores, Georges Bidault, uno de los principales dirigentes de la resistencia interior a la ocupación alemana, Evita le planteó que era muy desagradable que Francia, país amigo de la Argentina, tuviera una calle en París y una estación del Métropolitain que se llamara Obligado, por la batalla de la Vuelta de Obligado. Le recordó que la Escuadra naval anglofrancesa había logrado ganar la batalla, pero había pedido la guerra. Y le pidió que le cambiaran el nombre.
Dos días después, cuando se firmaban los acuerdos comerciales por los cuales la Argentina otorgaba a Francia un crédito para compras de cereales de 200 millones de dólares, el presidente Vincent Auriol le comunicó que en aras de la renovada amistad franco argentina serían cambiados los nombres de la estación del Métropolitain y de la calle”. De esta manera, la calle Vuelta de Obligado pasó a denominarse “d’Argentine”. Evita, una luz en la historia argentina que dejó su rastro en París.
Hacendado, era dueño de un haras de caballos en Balcarce, ciudad donde presidió el comité local de la Unión Cívica Radical (UCR) y donde fue comisionado municipal.15
Durante el gobierno de Juan Domingo Perón, fue designado embajador especial para asistir al acto de asunción del presidente chileno Gabriel González Videla en 1946, y al año siguiente fue nombrado embajador en Francia, cargo que ejerció hasta 1949.1 En su período en París, acompañó la visita oficial de Eva Perón en 1947, y firmó con el ministro de Asuntos Exteriores Georges Bidault un convenio comercial y financiero.78
Posteriormente fue director del Banco Argentino de Comercio.1
“…El 21 de julio, Evita descendió de su avión en Orly, vestida de blanco, con un sombrero de paja del mismo color, sonriente y un poco pálida. A los pies de la escalerilla, el ministro de Relaciones Exteriores, Georges Bidault, le besó la mano y luego la saludaron el embajador argentino en París, Julio Victorica Roca, y varios embajadores latinoamericanos. Un cortejo de cuarenta coches la acompañó hasta el Hotel Ritz, donde un grupo de niños le presentó un ramo de flores y Bidault se despidió. Como símbolo de la importancia que el gobierno francés daba a su persona, puso a su disposición el auto que había pertenecido al general Charles de Gaulle, el mismo que usaba sir Winston Churchill en sus visitas oficiales a París. Además, durante la estadía la Argentina y Francia firmaron un tratado comercial por el cual este país recibiría un abultado crédito para la compra de trigo y carne. La ceremonia tuvo lugar en el Quai D’Orsay, y finalizada la misma, Bidault condecoró a Evita con la Legión de Honor. Al día siguiente de su llegada, Evita fue recibida por el presidente Vincent Auriol en el castillo de Rambouillet, donde le ofreció un almuerzo…” (Evita. Marysa Navarro)
VIDEO Evita llega a Francia Eva Perón arriba al aeropuerto de Orly y es recibida por el Canciller Georges Bidault. Duración 1 minuto https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7NjQBNsCWc
VIDEO Evita en Francia. Eva Perón visita el castillo de Rambouillet, en Francia para almorzar con el presidente Vincent Autiol. Duración 3 minutos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSzwYgMeSuU
Comenzado en 1792 para reemplazar el heredado de los jesuitas, que estaba ubicado cerca del Río Carcarañá, en el actual distrito Aldao. El convento se albergaba desde 1796 a los religiosos en un edificio de estilo colonial; y se hallaba aún inconcluso en 1813, cuando el 3 de febrero fue empleado por las tropas del entonces Coronel de Caballería José de San Martín para albergarse antes del combate de San Lorenzo, el primer enfrentamiento en la Guerra de Independencia Argentina y único combate librado por San Martín en lo que hoy es suelo argentino.
La iglesia, comenzada en 1807, es obra del arquitecto Juan Bautista Segismundo, también autor de la Recova de Buenos Aires. Además de esta, el conjunto incluye los edificios del convento, el seminario y dos colegios. En el refectorio principal se instaló el hospital de campaña tras el combate, y allí falleció el sargento Juan Bautista Cabral; los muertos fueron sepultados en el huerto.
Hoy funciona en las instalaciones el Museo Histórico del Convento San Carlos, con exhibiciones de arte religioso, un cementerio en el que una urna contiene las cenizas de los caídos en la batalla de San Lorenzo, y varias salas conservadas como monumentos históricos: una celda que alojó al coronel San Martín, el refectorio, y exhibiciones sobre la construcción del convento y la obra de los frailes.
El convento de San Lorenzo tiene además otros antecedentes que ilustran sobre su merecimiento histórico:
En una de sus habitaciones se instaló la primera escuela pública que se abrió en el país después de la Revolución de Mayo; el Colegio San Carlos
En él se firmó el 12 de abril de 1819 el armisticio de San Lorenzo, entre los representantes de Manuel Belgrano y los del General Estanislao López.
Frente al convento fue vencida en 1840 la escuadra francesa que pretendió remontar el Paraná
El 16 de enero de 1846 el general Lucio Norberto Mansilla enfrentó en el mismo sitio a un gran convoy compuesto de unidades del gobierno de Montevideo, escoltadas por buques de guerra ingleses y franceses.
Por ley n.º 12.648 del 2 de octubre de 1940 fueron declarados Monumento Nacional el convento y el campo contiguo, al que se lo denomina "Campo de la Gloria", en honor y referencia a la batalla de San Lorenzo, aunque no fue ese el lugar exacto de la misma.
El convento San Carlos ya no existe como tal en la Orden de Frailes Menores, puesto que fue suprimido y sus religiosos fueron reubicados. La Parroquia San Lorenzo Mártir que se ubica junto al histórico convento fue entregada a la Arquidiócesis de Rosario en el año 2020, por lo que actualmente es atendida por un sacerdote diocesano.