Holy Trinity Pilgrimage to Spain and Rome
General Information
Father Kevin Gillespie will be leading a group of Holy Trinity parishioners and friends on a pilgrimage tracing the steps of St. Ignatius of Loyola from March 20-29, 2022. In collaboration with Illume Tours, you will experience the transformative power of travel with prayer through Spain and Rome during the "Ignatian Year."
Illume Tours has been creating global travel plans for over 44 years and organized the Holy Trinity pilgrimage with Father Paul Campbell in 2018. Pilgrims will travel by private motor coach and Illume will provide all air and ground transportation as well as hotel accommodations, continental buffet breakfast, six dinners, and three lunches. An English speaking guide will be with the group for the entire trip, however, the program does allow for some free time to explore.
The price for the tour will be $4,900 per person, which includes airline tickets, hotel rooms, entrance fees and reservation fees at designated venues, motor coach, and taxes. This price is based on double occupancy. A single room supplement is an additional $600.
We do not expect any issues with travel restrictions due to Covid. Illume will be responsible for communicating all the latest regulations required for the trip such as forms, posible testing, and information about vaccinations. If at the time of the trip any testing is required in Europe, Illume will make all arrangements.
For more information, please feel free to contact Lisa Dittmeier or Helene Flanagan at (202) 903-2801 or by email at parishlife@trinity.org. A limited number of participants will be allowed to register, so it is best to send an email of your interest as soon as possible.
Complete the Event Registration Form online and submit your $1000 deposit check to Illume. Checks should be made payable to Illume and sent to Illume Tours, 236 Lewis Wharf, Boston, MA 02110.
For more information visit the Illume tours company website. The program number is 22.15990
Itinerary
In the Footsteps of St. Ignatius and the Early Jesuits
March 20-March 29, 2022
Sunday, March 20, 2022
Departure from Washington, Dulles for Bilbao, Spain. This will be an overnight flight with a connection someplace in Europe – perhaps Madrid, or London, or other.
Monday, March 21, 2022
Arrival Bilbao. Your tour manager/guide will meet you at the airport and accompany you to Loyola. After checking in, people will have an opportunity to relax, freshen up, and adjust to time zone. Before dinner, include a visit to the basilica/shrine of Loyola. Include a time for prayer/reflection either there or in the chapel at the guesthouse. Dinner/overnight Loyola.
Tuesday, March 22, 2022
Breakfast. Guided visit to the Castle (birthplace of Loyola) with Mass at the Chapel of Conversion. Visit St. Sebastian Church and the Hospital where St. Ignatius ministered. Lunch at the guesthouse. This afternoon, visit the shrine of Our Lady of Arantzazu up in the mountains nearby – a site St. Ignatius visited. Return to Loyola for dinner/overnight.
Wednesday, March 23, 2022
Breakfast. Travel to Xavier. Guided visit the Castle/site there (St. Francis Xavier's birthplace) with Mass. Roughly follow the Camino Ignaciano (although on the highway and not the smaller roads). This is a long bus ride but one that can be used to talk more about St. Ignatius’s life and his journey to Montserrat. Dinner/overnight Montserrat
Thursday, March 24, 2022
Breakfast. Morning is free for participants to enjoy Montserrat (exploring the trails and hermitages or spending time in the chapel of the monastery seeing the Black Madonna). Late afternoon travel to Manresa for a visit to the Cave of St. Ignatius and include liturgy there. Continue then to Barcelona. Include a dinner this evening at a restaurant near the hotel with an opportunity for discussion and sharing of experiences. Overnight Barcelona.
Friday, March 25, 2022
Breakfast. Morning visit to Sagrada Familia (with liturgy). Continue with a visit to Santa Maria del Mar. Mid-afternoon flight to Rome. On arrival in Rome, transfer to hotel in the city center with dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight Rome.
Saturday, March 26, 2022
Breakfast. Morning walking tour of Ignatian sites – including the Gesu’, the Rooms of St. Ignatius (with Mass), and San Ignazio (and other sites nearby). Include a light lunch in the historical center. Afternoon visit St. Mary Major (where St. Ignatius had his first Mass). Evening at leisure. Overnight Rome.
Sunday, March 27, 2022
Breakfast. Walking tour of the historical center of Rome en route to St. Peter’s. Be present in St. Peter’s Square for the Angelus – the blessing of the Pope. After the Angelus, travel to the Via Appia Antica for a lunch. Then visit St. Paul Outside the Walls (where St. Ignatius made his vows) and the Catacombs (with Mass). Evening at leisure/overnight Rome.
Monday, March 28, 2022
Breakfast. Mass at St. Peter’s. Include either tour of the basilica or the Scavi afterwards. PM is free – but we could provide an optional tour of the Vatican Museums or something else – depending on the group’s interest. Farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight Rome.
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
Breakfast. Transfer to airport for return flight home.