Places of pilgrimage - Pilgrimage to Le Mont Saint-Michel

Places of Pilgrimage
Pilgrimage to Le Mont Saint Michel

Saint Michael's Day dawned clear and golden, the September sun drawing the mist from les Grèves. As the tide receded Jackie, our guide, struck the sand with his bourdon and led us out into La Baie de Mont Saint-Michel.

A stiff breeze greeted us as we left the shelter of the dunes, encouraging us to lengthen our stride. At first the sand was firm, drying swiftly. We were a merry band, and we soon we reached the black mud which enveloped us to our ankles, accumulating on our bare feet to slow our progress. The warnings of the local people echoed in our ears: "If you are going to Le Mont Saint-Michel, make your will!"

We struggled on, trusting Jackie to guide us well. And so he did, bringing us to the river which we must wade, thigh-deep. We were glad of the river's cleansing waters, freeing our feet of the burden of smooth black mud which they had accumulated. Reaching the far bank we were intrigued by the fantastic sand patterns left by the retreating tide - but we dare not linger for fear of the return of the tide.

So, with renewed lightness of tread we hastened to catch up with Jackie as he led us, unerring, across this vast expanse where the elements of Air and Water meet.

We were glad of the sun's warmth, as the breeze continued to blow away all thoughts of the mundane world - for today we were under the protection of Saint Michael.

Skirting Tombelaine, our hearts leapt as Le Mont Saint-Michel returned to view, majestic in it's isolation. Resting awhile, we bathed in the pool which surrounds Tombelaine, before setting forth once more towards our goal.

Seagulls soared and swooped, calling a welcome to their world as we tested the quicksands that were the final testing ground before we would reach our destination.

Saint Aubert's Chapel beckoned - a tiny sanctuary where we gave thanks for our safe arrival, before joining the pilgrims already thronging the streets and Abbey of Le Mont Saint-Michel.


	Dawn La Fête de Saint-Michel

St Symphorien Mont St Michel	Les Greves	St Aubert Mont St Michel

For more about Le Mont Saint-Michel get the CD ROM 'Mont Saint-Michel: Interactive virtual visit'

Other Pilgrimages
To The Resurgence
To the Rag Well
To The Enchanted Forest
To Redon Espic
To Aureil

Pilgrim Blessings
Pilgrim at the well
The Pilgrim Blessing
An Irish Blessing
The Pilgrim's Journey
The Blessing of Lluc

An Otherworld Encounter
The Offering at The Well

La Vouivre - Extrait du livre "La VOUIVRE, UN SYMBOLE UNIVERSEL" de Kintia Appavou et Régor R. Mougeot