After our day tour in Barcelona, on the fifth of August (which was also the first Saturday of that month) we saw it fitting to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Montserrat, 50 km away from Barcelona. Travelling again by train from Costa Brava, we stopped at Barcelona - Sants station. The sun was in its full glory when we arrived. From there we walked for about 10 minutes towards Plaça Espanya where we have to catch another train to reach our destination. While in Barcelona, we met a few Pinays to ask for some directions (and share a laugh too!). While waiting for the train, we came across some more Pinays who were also making a pilgrimage to Our Lady. It is heartwarming to meet and greet kababayans!
The travel was about an hour. Unlike our trip along the coast, our view this time were a mix of fields, houses, and mountains. There was an air of excitement as we approached Montserrat. The word Montserrat in Catalan means "saw mountain" because, as you look from afar, the protruding rocks look like the teeth of a saw. There are two options to travel further up - by cable car or train. We chose the first one!
The Aeri Montserrat, which provides the aerial cable car, has been in operation since 1930. For a while, it stopped its operation due to the damage it sustained during the Spanish Civil War. While waiting for a few minutes before the cable car arrived, we had some photos taken. The travel was breath-taking as you could behold the beautiful scenery from up and below. We weren't that many in the cable we rode going up. I think it was only the three of us, the three Pinays, and the operator. Reaching the top, we saw moving past us a train. There are trains and cable cars available for those who would like to travel further up. After still some more picture taking, we made our way to the basilica.
On top of the steps towards the basilica, we saw a vast patio. To the right of the basilica are the Benedictine Monastery and, I guess, accommodation for travellers. To the left of the basilica are statues of some saints. A wedding has just concluded when we entered the church. As we entered, we noticed some saints from the Catalan region such as St Ignatius of Loyola and St Anthony Mary Claret. The basilica itself is actually enclosed in the building that we just entered in. On the facade, one could see Jesus at the middle flanked by the Twelve Apostles. Inside the basilica, I noticed the statue of Our Lady above the altar and people venerating it. I told Nidz and Chiara that we need to go out and look for the queue leading to the statue. The queue wasn't too difficult to locate and wasn't that long. Above the door where the queue is heading is a bas relief of Our Lady of Montserrat and below it was an inscription commemorating the 100th anniversary when she was named Patroness of Catalan.
Entering the door, we saw several statues and paintings. First was a replica of the statue of St Peter sat on a papal throne. Next was a painting of St Ignatius of Loyola surrendering his armour (he used to be a soldier) to Our Lady. Then there was a painting of St Benedict (if I am not mistaken!). We climbed through the stairs. On both sides, one could see paintings of various saints. I recognised St Clare of Assisi and pointed it to Chiara! On the door leading to Mary's statue, are the engraved statues of St Joseph and St Gabriel.
Our Lady's wooden statue (a.k.a. La Moreneta, The Dark Little One) is said to have been in existence since 718 and is protected by a glass container. The only piece of the statue that pilgrims could touch is Our Lady's hand holding the orb. While waiting for my turn, I knelt down and said some prayers. I later touched and kissed the statue's hand. Walking away from the statue, we gathered at the chapel at the back where the statue is located, to offer some prayers. Going down, we lit a candle and placed it in one of the grottoes where lots of votive candles have been left by devotees. There was also water flowing from the spring. I helped myself as it was really a hot day. We proceeded to the shop to buy some souvenirs. Along the way, we met a few more kababayans, fellow devotees of Mama Mary!
The Spaniards have a soft spot in their hearts for Our Lady of Montserrat. Story has it that when Saracen infidels attacked Barcelona in the seventh century, they hid Our Lady's statue to a secret place in Montserrat. In the height of their battle, people have almost forgotten the statue's whereabouts. But not the Virgin itself. After almost 200 years, the statue was discovered. Soon, the devotion grew along with the establishment of a church and monastery. However, there were tribulations such as the Napoleonic invasion, Civil War, and revolutions which damaged the monastery. Still, the holy site has re-emerged. Indeed, as one historian would put it "In all ages the sinful, the suffering, the sorrowful, have laid their woes at the feet of Our Lady of Montserrat, and none have ever gone away unheard or unaided." Isn't this story similar to its Pinoy counterparts? Think of the stories of Our Lady of the Rosary of La Naval (Manila) and of Our Lady of Penafrancia (Bicol) among others.
We headed back to Barcelona-Sants station where we rode a train going to Figueres (the same destination we headed for after our travel to Barcelona the day before). In our rush, we thought that the train would pass through Sta Susanna (where we rode the train going to Barcelona). Seeing no signs of the beach, but fields we became suspicious. Nidz asked a man for help. We found out that yes, we're heading to Figueres, but going through a different route! He told us that we might have to go back to Barcelona upon reaching Figueres! Noticing that we were heading towards Girona (in whose airport we landed a few days back), we went down at that station and asked where we could catch the right train. Luckily, there was one on its way in an hour. When the train arrived, we made ourselves comfortable - there were not many passengers at that time. Still, we were anxious as we might get lost. We felt relieved when we saw the coast! Later, we were on our way to the hotel (Just on time for dinner!).
We're grateful to have visited Montserrat. Mountains, in a number of Biblical stories, are considered to be places where one encounters God (and His angels and saints). Like St Peter, we could say "Lord, it is good for us to be here." (Mt 17:4). Going down, our mission to share that encounter begins.
Our Lady of Montserrat, pray for us!
