St. Mary's church here in O'Cebreiro is the oldest church still open and active on the Camino. It dates to the 9th century. St. Francis of Assisi visited here. Two priests of all the pastors over the centuries stand out.
In the year 1300, the priest was upset when one of the local peasants came through a heavy snowstorm for Mass. The priest couldn't believe the bread was so important. But the peasant pleaded for the Eucharist, and as the consecration occurred...the bread miraculously became flesh and blood....startling the priest and converting his hard heart. The Eucharistic miracle was approved by Rome. The chalice and paten from that Mass as well as the precious Eucharist are kept in a reliquery above the tabernacle.
The other priest is Fr. Elias Valina Sampedro. He was pastor until 1989. It was his dream and work to restore the Camino as a spiritual exercise. It was his idea to dot the countryside with yellow arrows to point the way. He is buried in the church under the side altar dedicated to Santiago.
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