We’re Cathars today. First we drive up into the mountains and switch to a smaller bus so we can get through the narrow village streets—and we make it by inches (see the photos). Then we walk from a little café to the Hermitage of St. Antoine de Galamus, carved into a cliffside, and opening into a cave. It was used as a Franciscan monastery, and also as a refuge for the Cathars in around 1245.  Such a sweet energy there.

The Cathars were no fly-by-night little group. They had followers among the nobility and were becoming quite popular as an alternative to the Catholic church. Not too bad for vegetarians who taught reincarnation, had no priesthood, and claimed that men and women are equals. As they became more organized, the Catholic church began eradicating them, and it’s estimated that at least several hundred thousand died, possibly as many as one million, starting in the late 12th century. In order to completely eliminate them, the Inquisition was started in 1229. The Hermitage was one of their later hideouts.

A steep stone path leads to it, and it’s one of the more comfortable caves I’ve been in—complete with a stone exterior that looks like a building attached to the mountain, an altar inside, and a hole at the top that serves as a picturesque skylight. We all gather, faces barely illuminated by the skylight and looking like we’ve all been in places like this and done stuff like this for centuries, or lifetimes. John reads the “Cathar Prophecy,” whose origin is uncertain, but which refers to a Cathar prediction that the world’s return to a religion of love and acceptance would happen in the 21st century. John looks like he could be a medieval Cathar “Perfect” (spiritually illuminated one) as he reads, except that his face is lit by a computer screen instead of a candle. Here’s what he reads:

The ‘Church’ of Love (within each person’s heart-soul centre) would be proclaimed in the 20th century. They used the term ‘church’ because at that time they had no other way of explaining the return of the Love/Light Consciousness.

It has no fabric, only understanding.

It has no membership, save those who know they belong.

It has no rivals, because it is non-competitive.

It has no ambition for it seeks only to serve.

It knows no boundaries for nationalism’s are unloving.

It is not of itself because it seeks to enrich all groups and religions.

It acknowledges all great Teachers of all the ages who have shown the truth of Love.

Those who participate, practice the Truth of Love in all their beings.

There is no walk of life or nationality that is a barrier. Those who are, know.

It seeks not to teach but to be, and by being, enrich.

It recognizes that the way we are may be the way of those around us because we are that way.

It recognizes the whole planet as a Being of which we are a part.

It recognizes that the time has come for the supreme transmutation, the ultimate alchemical act of conscious change of the ego into a voluntary return to the whole.

It does not proclaim itself with a loud voice but in the subtle realms of loving.

It salutes all those in the past who have blazoned the path but have paid the price.

It admits no hierarchy or structure, for no one is greater than another.

Its members shall know each other by their deeds and being and by their eyes and by no other outward sign save the fraternal embrace.

Each one will dedicate their life to the silent loving of their neighbour and environment and the planet, whilst carrying out their task however exalted or humble.

It recognizes the supremacy of the great idea which may only be accomplished if the human race practices the supremacy of Love.

It has no reward to offer either here or in the hereafter save that of the ineffable joy of being and loving.

Each shall seek to advance the cause of understanding, doing good by stealth and teaching only by example.

They shall heal their neighbour, their community and our Planet.

They shall know no fear and feel no shame and their witness shall prevail over all odds.

It has no secret, no arcanum, no initiation save that of true understanding of the power of Love and that, if we want it to be so, the world will change – but only if we change ourselves first.

ALL THOSE WHO BELONG, BELONG. THEY BELONG TO THE ‘CHURCH’ (ORDER) OF LOVE.

After we walk back up the path to the bus, we head to another little village and have a gourmet lunch at a restaurant called “The Three Cathars”—a whimsical Alice-in-Wonderland artistic creation with its own art and jewelry, homemade furniture, and wonderful food. The owner began to have visions of being a Cathar when she was pregnant (see her in photos with John), and they are impressed with our energy, as we are with theirs. (It’s also Robert Zack’s birthday and he gets a special treat.)

Then it’s on to Peyrepertuse castle, or chateau—another steep walk to a Cathar hangout. Part fortress, part church, and part village, the chateau had multiple functions—it housed a community, protected them, and also served as a place of worship. We form a circle and call in the light there. The church area has the same kind of sweet energy as the Hermitage.

A great day of exploration, superb French cuisine, making new friends, hiking and sharing the Light.

Click here to read all of the posts from the J-R Legacy Tour.