A beautiful 20 day pilgrimage with 11 walking days, mixed with prayer and meditation. This will be an amazing pilgrimage. St. Ignatius himself walked this pilgrimage for his inner journey.
Sit in contemplation in the Cave of Manresa open your heart and listen. Allow the Spirit to move you, this is the exact spot where Ignatius retreated for contemplative prayer and wrote the Spiritual Exercises.
We will meet in Bilbao on the first day of the pilgrimage. (so plan your flights to arrive in time) We can help you arrange the best flights and times to arrive.
Once we gather, we will transfer to Loyola
Night: Loyola
Discovering Loyola - We will start our pilgrimage exploring Loyola.
We will visit the Shrine, Ignatius family home, Parish, Hospital Saint Magdalena.
Night: Loyola
As we leave Loyola we go looking for the river. Today the river is our guide. We will follow this along an old railway which has been converted into a magnificent path.
Today is a mixture of walking along the river, passing by a reservoir, and walking through an impressive spruce forest. Let us spend a few quiet moments in this forest. A cathedral which was made by God!
Visit the Arantzazu shrine. According to legend, the Virgin appeared to a shepherd named Rodrigo de Balzategi, the Virgin was on a hawthorn. He was amazed and asked, "Arantzan zu?" (You in a hawthorn?). During the following centuries, the Franciscan friars made Arantzazu a place of devotion and pilgrimage. A beautiful Holy Site along this Ignatian Camino, with many more to come!
After a leisurely morning, we will make our way to LaGuardia by private transfer. Tonight we will be joined by fellow pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago. LaGuardia is a stop-off for them as well, let's share our journey with each other.
Rioja is a fertile region of farms and vineyards. Many ancient civilizations lived in this region, including ancient Celtic peoples, the Roman, Visigoth, and Muslim civilizations. We will be walking along the Camino de Santiago, but in the opposite direction. We might hear, "buen camino" or "hey you are going the wrong way"
We will enjoy a day off from walking and a day to explore this beautiful city.
Zaragoza, a 2000-year-old city (from 13BC) is a large city and we will not have time to see everything. A must-visit is to the Virgin, which commemorates St. James's legendary passage through Spanish lands. The basilica is the first center of Marian devotion in Christendom. Bearing witness to the St. James tradition are the many hospitals, which served pilgrims walking on the Camino Real.
Another day free from walking, but the rest of the way will be in Catalonia as we make our way to Manresa!
Lleida is a big and beautiful Catalonian city, with unique buildings and museums. With so much to explore, we will arrive before lunch. This will allow us to explore and enjoy this city. One interesting place to visit is in the chapel on Main Street which recalls a legend about the Apostle James: while preaching the gospel on his journey through Spain, James got a thorn in his foot and walking became impossible. He was unable to see where the thorn was because it was very dark. Sensing his desperation, some angels came from heaven with their lanterns lit, to help him out of his difficulty. Every 24th July, Lleida children process through the streets of Old Town with lanterns lit in honor of James the apostle.
It will be nice to be walking again. We have now started our final 6 walking days until we reach Manresa.
Today we will be skirting along the highway on dirt and gravel paths for most of the day.
Today we will be passing through fields of olive trees, vineyards, and grain. We may be greeted by red poppies. Most of the day will be on asphalt and dirt paths.
We will arrive in time to see the Shrine of Saint Peter Claver
Today we say our goodbyes and depart for home or another adventure.
Included
Pre-departure information including planning and packing suggestions. Phone time with Mary.
Guide/Spiritual Coach/Priest accompanying the group
Transfer from Bilbao to Loyola
Nights in double rooms, single occupancy add $250
The Way of St. James devotional
Pilgrims passport
Daily/retreat guide book.
Daily Breakfast
Transfer from Manresa to Barcelona
Doesn't Include
Airfare to and from Europe. We will meet in Bilbao
Traveler’s insurance or trip cancellation insurance.
Tips
Luggage Transfer, additional $100
From
$2,050.00
/ Adult
Limited to 10 pilgrims
$300 deposit of which $150 is non-refundable
$250 additional for single room
$200 additional for optional Van Support
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