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In the footsteps of St Ignatius Loyola
Introduction
Apart from his foundation of what remains one of the largest Religious Orders in the Church, the Society of Jesus (or the Jesuits), few saints have had such an influence in the Catholic Church as St Ignatius Loyola. His spirituality can perhaps be summed up in his description of himself as a “spiritual pilgrim”, ever searching for God’s will in his own destiny. Indeed, he was also very much a practical pilgrim; he often signed his letters, “The Pilgrim”. A great walker until the age of 47, he walked up to 40 miles on some days. In this pilgrimage we will follow some of his journeys, stopping at sites important to his life, as well as visiting the birthplace of that other great Jesuit Missionary Saint, Francis Xavier, and relaxing in the spa town of Cestona.
Available for group of between 16 and 35 all year round.
Basic Itinerary
DAY ONE
London - Bilbao - Cestona
Easyjet scheduled flight from Stansted to Bilbao, where we join our coach for an hour’s drive to the
Spa-town of Cestona, near Loyola for dinner and a two-night stay.
DAY TWO
Loyola
After breakfast we drive to the impressive Sanctuary of St Ignatius, including the Casa Santa (Holy
House) where he was born and spent many of his early years, and the ornate monastery and basilica
complete with shrine and relics of the saint and a 65m dome, which can be seen from far away. In
the late afternoon we drive to the attractive town of Azpeitia, and visit the 16th century church where
Ignatius was baptised. Return to Cestona for dinner.
DAY THREE
Javier - Pamplona
Leave after breakfast for region of Javier, arriving by lunch time at the chief city of Navarra, Pamplona.
Spend the afternoon here, see the remains of 3 sets of walled fortifications, the maze of narrow
streets in the old quarter, the famed cloister of the cathedral and the city hall (Ayuntamiento) with its
impressive Baroque façade. After time at leisure in Pamplona, continue to the medieval monastery o
Leyre, set high-up on the slopes of the Sierra de Leyre. We stay in the guesthouse here for two
nights. It has been renovated and is certainly not ascetic. Dinner will be in the restaurant here on
each night of our stay.
DAY FOUR
Javier
This morning we drive to the castle of Javier where St Francis Xavier was born. Francis became a
Jesuit, and a missionary to India and the far east and dead “At the Gate of China” in 1552 at the age
of 46. We visit the stunning castle where Francis spent his early life before leaving for Paris and
Rome. After lunch (included) in a local restaurant, we visit the interesting medieval town of Sanguesa
a few km away. The church of Santa Maria boasts an extraordinary exterior with its Romanesque
sculpture including many references to St James in its images, proving that Sanguesa was indeed
an important stopping place on the Camino to Santiago.
DAY FIVE
Bilbao - London
Today we drive to Vitoria Gasteiz, a large city with a compact, well-preserved city centre, whose
importance dates to the middle ages. It was here that the peninsular war was ended by Wellington’s
army defeating Napoleon and forcing him back to France. We begin our tour with the 14th century
Cathedral of Santa Maria, progressing through the old quarter towards the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca,
12th century church of San Miguel. Afterwards, transfer to Bilbao Airport for our return flight to
Stansted.
Terms of Payment:This pilgrimage and example itinerary are available for private groups throughout the year for private groups of between 16 - 35 people |
