Pilgrimage to the Lands of Dominic - 1985
By: Barbara Cooper

The schedule says "Eucharist at Dominic's house in Fanjeaux"! There is something intimate about being here - like visiting a friend and sharing a cup of coffee. I imagine sitting here by the fireplace, talking about dreams of a community of men and women preachers, collaborating in mission. Watching, helping, while he baked his bread in the little oven built into the fireplace. Did the children playing outside on the street stop in to visit? How, for 13 years, did he arrange his life in this little house; to pray, study, preach, laugh with friends? What were his thoughts? How did he handle his discouragement, loneliness, doubts...?

Dominic today became my brother and friend in a new way.

The priviledge of reading (Dt 28:1-14) at the liturgy today fell to me. I read in English and one of the Prouille Sisters read in French. The Nuns met us outside their cloister for prayer. Love transcends the law, with a little creativity. We become witness to the reality of the family - transcending language and law.

view from yard at Dominic's house in Fanjeaux

fireplace inside house