Ignatian Heritage
Walk In the Footsteps of St. Ignatius and His Early Companions
Northeast Spain
Jesuit organizations have increasingly discovered the power of traveling to Northeast Spain as a way to gain better insight into the life, times, and places that shaped St. Ignatius' life, vocation, and vision.
These include:
Loyola Castle
Our Lady of Olatz
Our Lady of Arantzazu
Pamplona
Xavier Castle (St. Peter Xavier)
Our Lady of Pilar in Zaragoza
Montserrat
Manresa and St. Ignatius' Cave
Various sites in Barcelona
A Pilgrimage to Northeast Spain offers opportunities for reflection and retreat. Extended stays can be arranged in Loyola, Montserrat, and Manresa to deepen the connection with St. Ignatius' spirituality.
Rome
St. Ignatius traveled to Italy to offer his services to the Pope.
An Ignatian Pilgrimage to Rome offers a chance
to ponder the challenges and opportunities St. Ignatius and his
first companions faced in the 16th century.
Many of those challenges are similar to the
ones we face today.
In Rome - visit:
Ignatian Sites - Colegio Romano, the Gesu, the Rooms of St. Ignatius
San Ignazio, Santa Maria Maggiore, St. Paul Outside the Walls,
Sant'Andrea al Qurinale
and, of course, St. Peter's and the Vatican.
Visit contemporary Jesuit ministry sites.
Tour the Jesuit Curia and/or the Gregorian U.
Include other historical and religious sites in Rome - the Roman Forum, the Vatican Museums, the Borghese Gallery, and much more.
Helping Jesuit Institutions Connect with Ignatian Heritage
Trustee Pilgrimages and Meetings
Many Jesuit Colleges and Universities bring trustees and other institutional leaders to Spain and/or Rome as a way of fostering a deeper connection with the heritage they preserve. These programs build community, deepen relationships, and help individuals connect with the life, times, and vision of St. Ignatius. We collaborate with seasoned professionals on the ground who coordinate services and provide local expertise at various sites.
Parish Pilgrimages
We work with Jesuit parishes to help create inspiring and transformative pilgrimages to northeast Spain, Rome, and other destinations. These programs combine spiritual activities with opportunities to enjoy local culture, food, and explore historical and artistic sites.
Ignatian Programs for Teachers
We coordinate programs for Jesuit primary and secondary school teachers to Northeast Spain and Rome as a way of reinforcing institutional heritage and mission. These programs foster deeper understanding of the mission of the school and build community amongst colleagues.
Jesuit Retreat Centers
Pilgrimages to Spain and Rome are excellent ways to offer other forms of Ignatian retreats - diving more deeply into St. ignatius' autobiography and/or the Spiritual Exercises. Itineraries can be lengthened to include more time in evocative places such as Montserrat, Manresa, or Loyola.
MJH Travel Consulting
Michael Hartwig - TWENTY-FIVE Years Experience
For over 25 years, I have worked with Jesuit leaders to create thoughtful and customized Ignatian pilgrimages to Spain, Rome, and France. I bring together both my work as a religion professor and my expertise in group travel to help organizations (universities, schools, parishes, and retreat centers) host professionally managed and successful pilgrimages.
Local Tour Operators
I work with European-based tour operators, who are well-versed in Ignatian heritage programs and understand different constituencies and their needs. Their local expert guides provide unparalleled tour management and presentations at sites. They coordinate and oversee all of the inclusive features of your program so that you can relax and focus on interaction with your participants. In the event of strikes, weather, or other eventualities, these local tour operators (in consultation with group leaders and me), help reconfigure a program so that there is minimal disruption.
scope of services
A scope of services is mapped out in an initial proposal. This can include something as simple as creating an itinerary and requesting a proposal from the local tour operator to a broader mix of US-based services including registration, participant payments, flights, and other inclusive features of a program. The local tour operator works with hotels, restaurants, and tourist sites to confirm visits, overnights, meals, and special activities. Throughout the process, I am available and responsive to questions, concerns, need for changes, and any communication needed between an organization and the local tour operator.
Fees
A nominal fee for working with clients is folded into the proposal from the local tour operator.