Walk, laugh, pray

Lay colleagues of the Irish Jesuit Province went on pilgrimage to Spain during Holy Week, 12-17th April 2025. (See photo and names below)* Participants from Coláiste Iognáid, Crescent College Comprehensive, and the Curia spent the days visiting key Ignatian sites relating to Saint Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. Charlie Davy SJ, Brendan McManus SJ, and Education Delegate Jonathan Tiernan led the pilgrimage. The event has been running since 2008, with Loyola and Manresa as the two principal locations.

The trip worked as a retreat-style pilgrimage, as it had built-in quiet time for personal reflection. There was also plenty of time for the participants to get to know one another, at meals or when walking or climbing to various destinations. They took good advantage of those times and the group quickly bonded. There was lots of laughter and good conversations, creating an easy-going and caring atmosphere that was a hallmark of the event. The three leaders were also available if anyone wanted a bit more in-depth accompaniment.

Veteran pilgrim and author Brendan McManus says the retreat was designed to help participants make sense of terminology such as ‘discernment’, the ‘Spiritual Exercises’, the ‘Examen’ and ‘reflection’. He gave input each morning on Ignatius’ autobiography and its link to the Spiritual Exercises, and this provided the context for visiting the Ignatian sites later in the day.

Most days there was a guided reflection based around the Examen, to encourage personal reflection and then faith sharing in the group. “This was a great opportunity to get to know others and share experiences,” says Brendan, “and it worked really well.”

The pilgrimage began with a visit to Ignatius Loyola’s birthplace, the castle of Loyola. The huge baroque basilica dominates the landscape there. Next door is the original castle were Ignatius was born.

The tour of the castle ends in the ‘chapel of the conversion’ , once the room where Ignatius lay recuperating after his leg was shattered, set and reset, having been hit by a canonnball in the battle at Pamplona. It was in this room that Ignatius slowly began to get an insight into how God spoke to him through this various ‘moods’. For some, this room (chapel) was the place where they could most readily sense the presence of Ignatius.

An afternoon visit to the local church of San Sebastián where St Ignatius was baptised in 1491 delivered an unexpected surprise. Apparently the original baptismal font is still there though it has a later wooden façade but the group did not get to see it as the chapel was locked. But a group of young boys and girls, all scouts from Portugal, arrived at the church hoping to see inside as well. Conversations started, St Ronaldo’s name was invoked (!) and in the blink of an eye an Irish/Portuguese singsong got under way as the rain began to fall.

The pilgrimage also included a visit to Pamplona where Ignatius was famously injured. The tour guide had a lot to say about the famous running of the bulls festival there which was very interesting, but a bit light on the Ignatian connection. However a visit to the local Jesuit school was most informative, “It was state of the art and then some,” according to one participant. The school was home to a beautiful chapel, where the group had Mass, and a hushed prayer room with a very simple but moving statue of Mary. The building was also close to a plaque in the pavement that marked the spot where Ignatius had been injured.

On the second last day the group was literally walking in Ignatius’ footsteps as they followed his route from Onate to the Franciscan Shrine at Arantzazu in the Basque Country. This was a strenuous hike through beautiful Basque limestone hills that included a visit to the extensive Arotz-Arrikutz caves.

The shrine at the end has the Virgin of Arantzazu statue in prime position, a place where Ignatius spent the night in vigil and made a vow of chastity. There was a lot of learning on this particular venture according to one participant. She surrendered to the demands of her aged body and only walked (climbed!) the first half of the hike as far as the caves. “Humbling – I now understand St Ignatius’ third degree of humility.”

Those who struggled (wo)manfully up the rest of way were warmly greeted on arrival by the dropouts. The younger members did really well as they bounded up the ravine like mountain goats. But those with shorts on had a visitation of some sheep ticks that had to be subsequently removed – a warning to next year’s participants!

The pilgrimage was about seeing the key Ignatian sites first-hand, getting the insights into the person of Ignatius and Ignatian spirituality, with a process for personal assimilation. Evaluations were very positive with participants appreciating the chance to have a retreat experience in the homeland of Ignatius and in the congenial company of lovely colleagues.

Many thanks to Ruth Douglas, Education Secretary, who prepared and planned the project so meticulously, making it a very smooth and easy trip for all involved.

*Photo : Left to right: Brian Cowhey (Crescent), Grace Leahy (Crescent) Jonathan Tiernan (Curia) Charlie Davy SJ (Manresa) Ciara O’Cathain (Curia) Una Heron (Curia), Alan O’Loinsigh (Coláiste Iognáid), Ray Silke (Coláiste Iognáid) Pat Coyle (Curia) John McDermott (Curia),Miriam O’Callaghan (Crescent) Emer Hennelly ((Coláiste Iognáid) Yvonne Nolan (Clongowes)