In the Footsteps of Ignatius

St Beuno's Jesuit Spirituality Centre is offering a pilgrimage to some of the places in Western Europe most closely associated with St Ignatius Loyola and the early Jesuits.  Entitled 'In the Footsteps of Ignatius', the pilgrimage will include sites in Loyola, Pamplona, Xavier, Manresa, Montserrat, Barcelona and Rome.

"Over the course of two weeks, we will be following Ignatius, the pilgrim," says Fr David Birchall SJ, the Director of St Beuno's and one of the leaders of the pilgrimage. "We will look at the man and his history and consider how these formed a foundation for the Spiritual Exercises and Ignatian Spirituality."

This will be the second year that such a pilgrimage will have been organised by St Beuno's.  Last year, some 20 pilgrims took part in the journey to significant Ignatian sites in Spain and Italy. "Our tour around the 'Holy House' of Loyola, the Moorish style brick manor house build on the foundation of an old castle, brought home much of the influences on the young Ignatius," recalls Fr Birchall. "While a day trip to the almost fairy-tale castle of Javier, birthplace of St Francis of Xavier, reminded us of the companions that Iņigo got together in Paris to unite with him in taking Christ's message to the world."

'In the Footsteps of Ignatius' will take place between 5 and 17 November 2009.  It will be led by Fr David Birchall SJ and Sr Colette Bonner of the St Beuno's team with assistance from local guides and Jesuits in Rome.  For further details see www.beunos.com/pilgrimage.htm (link below) or contact Fr David Birchall SJ at director@beunos.com or 01745 583444, St Beuno's, St Asaph, LL17 0AS.

 St Beuno's