THE COTOLAYA

A New Certificate on the Camino Santiago

A new Certificate is being issued this year in Santiago.  

It is called the "Cotolaya."

In 1214, St. Francis of Assisi visited 

Santiago de Compostela.

There he founded a convent.

The legend, 

described in an inscription on the wall of the convent,

tells how a coal man named Cotolay

began the building.

While praying on the mountain, St. Francis 

was told by God

that his order of begging friars should found convents, 

beginning in Santiago.

St. Francis was struck with fever and blindness.

A young coal man, Cotolay, 

promised to build the convent for him.

Cotolay persuaded the abbot 

of St. Martin's Benedictine Manastery 

to grant a parcel of land as large as a bull's skin

in return for a basket full of fish.

The abbot agreed,

believing all would come to naught.

However, Cotolay brilliantly cut the skin into thin strips 

and marked out

a far larger plot of land than anticipated.

Next, he asked the cathedral master mason Mateo

to donate a pile of stones

and arranged to have loggers transport them to the site

in a competition of strength.

After Mateo constructed the convent,

St. Francis was taken to the new building 

where his sight was restored.

Since then, 

Francisans have paid tribute to St. Martin

with a basket of local trout.

* * *

A stamp is also being issued to commemorate St. Francis' Pilgrimage.

The Cotolaya will be issued 

at the Church of San Francisco de Santiago 

to commemorate 800 years 

since St. Francis walked the Camino Santiago.

It is offered to those pilgrims 

who walk to the tomb of St. James 

under the protection of St. Francis of Assisi.

In order to receive the Cotolaya you must do the following:

1) Walk at least the last 100 km

2) Walk to the tomb of St. James under the protection of St. Francis of Assisi

3) Visit the Convent de San Francisco in Santiago.

You can receive the Cotolay

in ADDITION to

your regular Compostela.

You can pick up your Credential 

in O Cebreiro.

I am checking to see if it is possible 

to pick it up anywhere else,

or order it ahead of time.

For those who are interested,

there is an old movie loosely based

on the legend, 

called "Cotolay"

or "El Nino y El Lobo."

Legend of St. Francis and the Wolf

Perhaps the most famous story of St. Francis is when he tamed the wolf that was terrorizing the people of Gubbio. While Francis was staying in that town he learned of a wolf so ravenous that it was not only killing and eating animals, but people, too. The people took up arms and went after it, but those who encountered the wolf perished at its sharp teeth. Villagers became afraid to leave the city walls.

Francis had pity on the people and decided to go out and meet the wolf. He was desperately warned by the people, but he insisted that God would take care of him. A brave friar and several peasants accompanied Francis outside the city gate. But soon the peasants lost heart and said they would go no farther.

Francis and his companion began to walk on. Suddenly the wolf, jaws agape, charged out of the woods at the couple. Francis made the Sign of the Cross toward it. The power of God caused the wolf to slow down and to close its mouth.

Then Francis called out to the creature: “Come to me, Brother Wolf. In the name of Christ, I order you not to hurt anyone.” At that moment the wolf lowered its head and lay down at St. Francis’ feet, meek as a lamb.
St. Francis explained to the wolf that he had been terrorizing the people, killing not only animals, but humans who are made in the image of God. “Brother Wolf,” said Francis, “I want to make peace between you and the people of Gubbio. They will harm you no more and you must no longer harm them. All past crimes are to be forgiven.”

The wolf showed its assent by moving its body and nodding its head. Then to the absolute surprise of the gathering crowd, Francis asked the wolf to make a pledge. As St. Francis extended his hand to receive the pledge, so the wolf extended its front paw and placed it into the saint’s hand. Then Francis commanded the wolf to follow him into town to make a peace pact with the townspeople. The wolf meekly followed St. Francis.

By the time they got to the town square, everyone was there to witness the miracle. With the wolf at his side, Francis gave the town a sermon on the wondrous and fearful love of God, calling them to repent from all their sins. Then he offered the townspeople peace, on behalf of the wolf. The townspeople promised in a loud voice to feed the wolf. Then Francis asked the wolf if he would live in peace under those terms. He bowed his head and twisted his body in a way that convinced everyone he accepted the pact. Then once again the wolf placed its paw in Francis’ hand as a sign of the pact.

From that day on the people kept the pact they had made. The wolf lived for two years among the townspeople, going from door to door for food. It hurt no one and no one hurt it. Even the dogs did not bark at it. When the wolf finally died of old age, the people of Gubbio were sad. The wolf’s peaceful ways had been a living reminder to them of the wonders, patience, virtues and holiness of St. Francis. It had been a living symbol of the power and providence of the living God. 

(from www.americancatholic.org)