The Way of Saint James

Just what is a pilgrimage? How far must you travel for it to count? Do you need to travel at all or can a pilgrimage take place within you on a spiritual level?

On my bucket list of physical pilgrimages I would love to take but know I never will would be the Vatican, the healing waters of Lourds, the Stations of the Cross in Jerusalem. And most of all the Way of Saint James.

Once upon a time the need to travel to a particular place of religious or spiritual significance was understood as a necessity. Today we no longer believe one needs to physically travel to a far off location. A pilgrimage can be a virtual journey. While that makes sense, especially in a world that seems more virtual than physical, I still hold to the notion that physically being in a place of significance has an impart that the virtual connection does not.

Years ago Kiddo, Hubby and I went on a pilgrimage without even realizing that one had taken place. The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington DC is considered to be a pilgrimage destination. We just happened to be in Washington during Easter to see the Cherry Bloom, and chose to visit the Basilica. The experience was overwhelming, one that I shall never forget. I can only imagine what it must feel like to walk the Way of Saint James. How powerful that must be, especially during a Holy Year, when the Feast of Saint James (July 25) falls on a Sunday.

Prayer, in many ways, is also a pilgrimage. Meditation and reflection spur spiritual growth. The point of a pilgrimage is to experience a deep and profound change. When you experience that connection to God, to Christ, to the Holy Family and all the angels and saints, nothing else can compare.

Some are blessed to have that type of profound conversation simply by kneeling before the alter in a church. It is during the consecration of the host, the transformation of bread and wine into the physical body and blood of Jesus, that bells near the alter are rung. This is done because at that very moment Heaven and earth come together. Some are so connected that they can actually sense the moment this happens.

Have you ever felt the presence of angels? Or heard the whisper of God? Blessed are you not only to believe but to know that we are not alone in the same way His apostles knew.

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To celebrate the Way of Saint James, we are serving up a delicious meal of Pollo en Salsa Romesco and Arroz Español Picante with a heavy Spanish influence. Enjoy and know you are blessed.

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Pollo en Salsa Romesco
4 large boneless Chicken Thighs
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper or to taste
1 cup Roasted Red Peppers
2 Garlic Cloves
1/2 cup Sourdough Bread cubed
3 tablespoon Olive Oil
1/2 cup sliced Almonds
1 tablespoon Smoked Paprika
1/4 cup Sherry Cooking Wine
6 flour Tortillas warmed for serving

Note: To add a bit more heat to everything, I used 1 tablespoon Habanero Olive Oil with 2 tablespoons plain Olive Oil.

Heat oven to 375-degrees.

Season chicken thighs with salt and cayenne pepper. Drain red peppers. Peel and mince garlic. Cube bread, set aside.

Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken thighs for 3 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.

In the same skillet, add almonds, garlic, and bread cubes. Toast for 2 minutes or until fragrant. Transfer almond mixture to a blender. Add roasted red peppers, smoked paprika, and sherry cooking wine. Blend until smooth. Return sauce to skillet. Nestle chicken thighs into the sauce, spoon a little over the top.

Bake in the heated oven for 20 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

While the chicken bakes, warm the tortillas for serving.

Arroz Español Picante
1-1/2 cups Long Grain White Rice
1 tablespoon Olive Oil
1 (10 oz) can Ro-Tel Tomatoes
1/2 Yellow Onion
3-1/2 cups Chicken Stock
4 tablespoons diced Jalapeño Peppers
1 tablespoon Cumin or to taste
Salt to taste
White Pepper to taste

Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium-heat. Add rice, brown slightly.

Note: If more heat is desired, use a spicy Olive Oil such as Jalapeño or Habanero infused oil.

Add Diced tomatoes with juices, chicken stock, Jalapeño Peppers and seasoning into the pot. Stir well to distribute the peppers. Bring pot to a rolling boil.

Reduce heat to low and simmer, partially uncovered, until liquid has evaporated and rice is soft, about 20 minutes or so. Stir as needed to prevent the rice on the bottom from browning.

Place in a large bowl to serve. 

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Jesus said to His disciples:
“Amen, amen I say to you;
If you ask the Father anything in my name,
He will give it to you.”