October 28th Pilgrim Mass at Santiago -

Then came what we all had been waiting for - the  botafumeiro. This is a huge incense burner that is lit and then swung on huge ropes in order to bless the pilgrims. You can see both the botafumeiro and the men who are pulling on the ropes to make it swing over the pilgrims. It is a very beautiful and emotional way to end this mass that is the pilgrims' time to give thanks to God for the experience of their adventure and for having reached their goal. (Just a quick note - the botafumeiro originally was used during the mass because the odor the pilgrims gave off was unbearable without the incense to cover it.)