Walking with Inigo: The Ignatian Camino

In September-October 2018 a group of pilgrims will walk the route taken by Íñigo López de Loyola (who later became Saint Ignatius of Loyola) in 1522 from his home in Spain’s Basque country to Montserrat and Manresa. The “Camino Ignaciano,” or the “Ignatian way” begins at the birthplace of Ignatius Loyola in Spain’s Basque country, in a village near the small town of Azpeitia. From there, the route proceeds through picturesque mountains, deserts and plains, before ending in the town of Manresa near Barcelona. Ignatius rested in this town for some months after his journey from Loyola. Manresa was a place of profound spiritual enlightenment for him. Here he composed his spiritual masterpiece, the Spiritual Exercises. Pilgrims will walk virtually the same route that Ignatius did, pass through many towns that he did, pray at churches where he did, and marvel at the natural wonders that he saw.

Pilgrims will be on a 30-day outer journey and an inner journey. The outer journey will be reasonably well marked. The inner journey less so. For some it will be about forgiveness or reconciliation, for others a new direction or course in life, a confirmation of a major life choice, or a renewed or rediscovered sense of personal identity. Many days pilgrims will have the opportunity for Mass, either said by the guide, Fr Josep Lluís Iriberri, SJ, or will attend a Eucharist in one of the local parishes. There will also be opportunities for silence, prayer, personal reflection, spiritual conversation and sharing in small groups.

Josep Lluís Iriberri, SJ (pictured below), born in 1959, is a Jesuit priest from Spain. A biologist, counsellor and theologian, Josep is a professor at HTSI-School of Tourism Saint Ignatius at the University Ramon Llull in Barcelona. He is also the Director of the Office of the Ignatian Camino. In 2011, he was commissioned to design and promote the Ignatian Camino and continues to focus on this task. We are very pleased to have the Jesuit who designed the route of the Ignatian Camino be our guide in 2018.

More information regarding joruney registration can be found here.

All questions can be directed to Helen Lucas.