Last Saturday, October 11, under radiant sun and perfect temperature, Foncebadon, the iconic enclave on the Camino de Santiago, dressed up to celebrate a double milestone: the 25 years of the founding idea of a refuge and the 10th anniversary of the opening of his European Meeting Home (HEE).
This oasis, conceived as a space of rest, silence and hope For pilgrims and travelers, it is living proof of how a vision can transform a place, reviving not only souls, but also an entire town.
From Idea to Reality: A Shared Faith
The seed of this project was sown a quarter of a century ago, when it was identified in Foncebadon the ideal place - strategic on the Jacobean route and with a proven personal and spiritual "healing effect" - for a reception center.
The vision became tangible thanks to generosity: the then bishop of Astorga, Mr. Camilo Lorenzo Iglesias, gave up the land of the old parish house. The definitive impulse came from the hand of Father Gaspar, one of the main promoters, and the invaluable help of German youth and institutions who dedicated themselves to the restoration of the church and the subsequent construction of the HEE
The vice president, Wolfgang Almstedt, was responsible for remembering with great precision the arduous building process and the energy of the volunteers who made this work possible. international brotherhood.
The Celebration: Eucharist and Coexistence
The festivities began at ten in the morning with the celebration of the Eucharist, chaired by the diocesan administrator, Mr. Javier Gay, and concelebrated by Father Gaspar and D. Ramiro Fernández. The songs of Tista and Sara surrounded the ceremony.
In his homily, Mr. Javier Gay not only thanked the work of all those who have contributed to the success of this work, which is "bringing so much fruit," but he also encouraged the community to "always continue walking hand in hand with Jesus, our guide".
After mass, Norbert Scheiwe, president of the HEE Association, expressed his gratitude to those present. Guests had the opportunity to tour the facilities, which, with their welcoming design, invite personal and spiritual retreat. The morning concluded with a Spanish wine that, despite the language barrier between some attendees, served to strengthen old friendships and forge new bonds of coexistence.
An Oasis of Hope: The Impact on Foncebadón
The afternoon was dedicated to rest and the visit of Foncebadon, where the growth of the last 25 years is undeniable. The town, which was once almost abandoned, has flourished with the HEE as a catalyst. Today it has new restaurants, hostels for pilgrims, and until the arrival of neighbors from other countries who have taken up residence there.
Ten years after opening its doors, the European Meeting House remains faithful to its original mission: to be a space open to all, without distinction of culture or religion, where the pilgrim soul finds peace, contemplation and, above all, the certainty that hospitality It is a way to sow hope on the Camino.
