following
i gnatius ' f ootsteps
Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose
whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. PSALM
i ntroduction
At Loyola Blakefield, our Catholic, Jesuit mission is the foundation and guiding light for all we do. After all, we are named after the founder of the Society of Jesus, St. Ignatius of Loyola. His statue, quotations, and spiritual wisdom adorn our campus—imbuing our approach to academics and co-curriculars— and anchoring them to our mission.
“In the Footsteps of St. Ignatius and His Early Companions,” the Loyola Blakefield Pilgrimage to Spain and Rome is just one of the impactful ways to experience the transformative journey that began it all.
Sponsored by the Office of Ignatian Mission and Identity (and generously supported by a designated fund raised in the name of John Weetenkamp '65), this experience was offered to 23 faculty and staff this past July to deepen their connections to Ignatian Spirituality through direct examination of the life and legacy of St. Ignatius of Loyola.
To more fully appreciate this physical and spiritual journey, please read the following reflections.
i tinerary
DAY 1:
t he l and of s t . i gnatius
Loyola (Modern Azpeitia)
DAY 2:
s t . i gnatius ’ o rigins
The Castle of Loyola & Chapel of Conversion
The Sanctuary of Arantzazu
The Church of St. Sebastian
Our Lady of Olatz
DAY 3:
f ootsteps to M ontserrat
Xavier Castle
Montserrat
DAY 4:
s t . i gnatius ’ t ransfor M ation & the s piritual e xercises
Montserrat & The Black Madonna
Manresa and the Cave of St. Ignatius
DAY 5:
V ision t oward the w orld
Barcelona
La Sagrada Familia
Santa Maria del Mar
The Gothic Quarter
DAY 6:
o ur r o M an h eritage
Rome
The Catacombs
St. Paul Outside the Walls
DAY 7:
i n s er V ice to the c hurch
Central Historical District
The Gesù
The Gonzaga Room
The Rooms of St. Ignatius
The Jesuit Curia
DAY 8:
t aking s tock
St. Peter’s Basilica
The Vatican Museums
The Borgo Area
The laborers should have the other raised
MONTSERRAT
BARCELONA
AZPEITIA
ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CASTLE
laborers in the Lord’s vineyard have one foot on the ground, and raised to proceed on their journey.
- ST. IGNATIUS
ROME
the land of s t . i gnatius
AZPEITIA (LOYOLA)
THE CASTLE OF LOYOLA
THE SANCTUARY OF ARANTZAZU
THE CHURCH OF ST. SEBASTIAN
OUR LADY OF OLATZ
SANCTUARY OF LOYOLA AZPEITIA, BASQUE COUNTRY, SPAIN BRIGID MITCHERLING
AZPEITIA
ST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA was born in 1491 in Loyola, modernly known as Azpeitia, Spain, in his family home the Castle of Loyola. The third floor of the main house was usually reserved for children and guests, but was where Ignatius was operated on twice and almost died after suffering a cannonball injury to his leg while defending the castle of Pamplona, Spain. During his recovery and reflection, Ignatius committed himself to God, inspiring the dedication of the space as the Chapel of Conversion. The Sanctuary of Loyola would eventually be built around the main tower house the family originally lived in and serves as a stop for many pilgrims following Ignatius’ journey today.
CASTLE OF LOYOLA BRIGID MITCHERLING
ROOTED AND RENEWED by this powerful Pilgrimage of St. Ignatius. Walking the footsteps of St. Ignatius and his early companions with colleagues dedicated to the mission of Jesuit Education anchors me in God’s love for His creation and inspires me to strive for the magis. As Pilgrims, we explored the origins of St. Ignatius in Azpeitia (Loyola), Spain; journeyed through various transformative places in Ignatius’ own pilgrimage, such as Montserrat and Manresa; and experienced Ignatius’ vision toward the world in our stays at Barcelona and Rome. This Pilgrimage afforded me the opportunity to make my own memories in these profound moments and places. I am thankful for companions on this journey and an experience that will last a lifetime.
- RYAN MEDINA
PARTICIPATING IN THE PILGRIMAGE
a second time, with such great colleagues, afforded me the opportunity to experience everything on a deeper level. The first time was sheer awe and wonder as I walked in the footsteps of St. Ignatius. This time allowed me to go beyond the excitement and awe and to see with new eyes the places, the sights, and the beauty surrounding me. I listened with new ears and felt in my inner core a connection that surpassed the excitement of the experience. I encountered an overwhelming sense of harmony with my creator that I would never be able to fully encapsulate in words.
- VONDA DUNCAN
SANCTUARY OF ARANTZAZU
ONATI, BASQUE COUNTRY, SPAIN
BRIGID MITCHERLING
a rantzazu
St. Ignatius spent nights of vigil praying at the shrine of Our Blessed Lady of Arantzazu on his way to Montserrat. One of these nights would be the last time St. Ignatius ever saw his brother Pero, a priest, parting ways with him on separate journeys here.
church of s t . s ebastian
San Sebastián de Soreasu Parish was the Loyola family parish where St. Ignatius was baptized. The baptismal font is on display to this day beneath the choir. Much of the church and its features date back to the 16th century, though it was rebuilt in the 18th century to include a porch to the original entry. It consists of eight different chapels, including La Soledad Chapel, the only Renaissance model construction of the time in the Basque country in both its architecture and its ornamental elements.
her M itage of o ur l ady of o latz
Considered the oldest chapel in Azpeitia, this Catholic temple serves as a center of Ignatian pilgrimage. The Loyola family were its original patrons—St. Ignatius would pray daily to the Virgin of Olatz, seeking to remain in her memory.
BRIGID MITCHERLING
I
WANTED
TO TAKE A MOMENT
to express my gratitude for the incredible experience we shared on our recent pilgrimage. It was truly a unique and enriching journey, and I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to explore these deeper milestones of St. Ignatius’s life alongside such an amazing group of people. Our time together allowed us to connect on a level beyond our usual work interactions, and I believe it has fostered a greater sense of understanding and camaraderie among us. The insights and reflections we gained are valuable not only for our personal growth but also for the way we collaborate and support each other in our professional environment. Thank you all for your openness, enthusiasm, and for contributing to the success of this experience. I look forward to carrying forward the lessons and positive energy from our trip into our daily work and interactions.
- JOHN O'HARA '96
footsteps to M ontserrat
XAVIER CASTLE MONTSERRAT MANRESA
THE CAVE OF ST. IGNATIUS
SANTA MARIA DE MONTSERRAT ABBEY MONISTROL DE MONTSERRAT, CATALONIA, SPAIN
FOR ME, FOLLOWING THE FOOTSTEPS
of St. Ignatius brought alive our Jesuit teachings. We traveled from the lush mountains in the Basque country of Spain to the spectacular mountains of Montserrat, to Barcelona in the Mediterranean, to the beautiful city of Rome. We had mass every day in incredibly meaningful spaces including the room where St. Ignatius rehabilitated after his cannonball accident, the cave where he wrote the Spiritual Exercises, the room where St. Ignatius died, and the crypt of St. Peter’s Basilica at Vatican City, to name a few! We had many, many moving experiences, but what was most impactful for me was the laughter, tears, and adventures that were shared among our group of “pilgrims.” We have all formed strong bonds with each member of the group. The experience was truly magical.
- YVETTE JENKINS
JESUIT SITE VISIT: THE CASTLE OF XAVIER
This tenth-century castle is the birthplace and home of St. Francis Xavier, classmate and roommate of St. Ignatius when they both studied at the University of Paris. Ignatius and Francis, friends until death, were both declared saints of the church on March 12, 1622, by Pope Gregory XV.
STOPPING ON THE WAY from Loyola to buy a pilgrim dress in Igualada, St. Ignatius followed the path to Montserrat with his mule and servant in hopes to see the famous statue of the Virgin of Montserrat. He stayed at the monastery for three days—the limit for pilgrims’ visits—spending them with Father Xanon, confessing his sins and receiving counseling. It was here that St. Ignatius was introduced to the Compendio Breve del Ejercitariorio de la Vida Espiritual (Brief Compendium of Exercises of the Spiritual Life), a guidebook for Montserrat novices to study, that may have inspired St. Ignatius’ writing of the Spiritual Exercises. St. Ignatius lingered in Montserrat in mountain caves and woods before he eventually left for Manresa, giving up his mule and servant beforehand per Father Xanon’s counsel to live a truly pilgrim life.
AS I THINK ABOUT our Ignatian pilgrimage, the one word that comes to mind for me is joy. Each day I woke up with a sense of excitement about what I was about to experience. Each day ended with a deep gratitude for what I saw and learned. For me, the highlight was Manresa and Montserrat. At Manresa we were able to celebrate Mass in the cave where St. Ignatius wrote the Spiritual Exercises. The sacrifices he made and the pain he endured during that time are difficult to comprehend. It made me think about how blessed we are today in our lives and how little I have had to sacrifice for the life that I have been blessed with. At Montserrat where St. Ignatius confessed his sins and called him to spend his life devoted to prayer and peace, I felt a calm come over me as we hiked the mountain in our comfortable sneakers and clothes. It helped me realize the sacrifices that were made by St. Ignatius and the comforts that I take for granted in my everyday life. I came home with a renewed sense of companionship with my colleagues, a deeper understanding of our mission as a Jesuit school, and extreme gratitude to be a part of the Loyola Blakefield community.
- SUE YANCISIN
CAVE OF ST. IGNATIUS CHAPEL BRIGID MITCHERLING
M anresa
THERE ARE SEVERAL THEORIES for why St. Ignatius visited Manresa on his way to Rome and eventually Jerusalem. He might have left Montserrat in search of a hospital upon trouble with his wounded leg, directed to Manresa, or else avoided Barcelona due to the black plague, former military peers, or even scorned lovers from his time as a knight. Regardless of the why, St Ignatius spent eleven months in Manresa at the Hospital of Saint Lucia, often visiting a small cave across the Cardoner river to pray and study and maybe even begin composing the Spiritual Exercises. Though legend claims St. Ignatius found this cave in a vision, it was not hard to find due to the plethora of rock formations throughout the area. With direct views of the Church of La Seu, the mountain of Montserrat, and
the Cardoner river, it provided him the silence and isolation he needed to spend hours each day writing texts that would become the Spiritual Exercises. The cave wouldn’t be augmented with a chapel and church until at least eighty years later by the Society of Jesus.
For a while St. Ignatius neglected his health and hygiene, often deemed a madman by Manresa’s locals due to his appearance. Helped eventually by pious women now known as Inigas, St. Ignatius fought through stages of peace, doubts, despair, and even thoughts of death until a series of mystical visions, as well as relationships with friars, monks, and priests of local monasteries and the city of Basilica, guided him back toward spiritual growth.
JUSTIN WHITE
MARY THIELEN
ONE
OF THE
MOST POWERFUL MEMORIES
of the pilgrimage for me was the art in the Sanctuary of the Cave of St. Ignatius in Manresa, Spain. The mosaic art covers the walls of the sanctuary and depicts a journey through the Spiritual Exercises. One of the walls is an image of Jesus and St. Ignatius both carrying the cross. The artist places them so close together that they share feet and an eye. One of the biggest lessons I learned from doing the Spiritual Exercises is how Jesus is right there beside me as I try to understand who he has made me and what he is calling me to do. In our mass in the room where St. Ignatius died, Father Steggert reminded us of how God has formed each of us in the womb, what a wonder that it is, and asked us the question, “what will you do now?” Being back home, I am inspired by this question and by this art that has moved my heart, and I am excited to explore more of what it means for me to walk alongside Jesus every day!
- MARY THIELEN
vision toward t he w orld
BARCELONA
LA SAGRADA FAMILIA
SANTA MARIA DEL MAR
THE GOTHIC QUARTER
LA SAGRADA FAMILIA INTERIOR
RIBERA DISTRICT OF BARCELONA, CATALONIA, SPAIN BRIGID MITCHERLING
WHEN PEOPLE ASK ME
about my experience on the Pilgrimage, the first word that comes to my mind is “expansiveness”. God’s beauty and grandeur could be seen in the chapels, cathedrals, basilicas, as well as in the hills, mountains, and fields. Entering the places and the spaces that were so key to St. Ignatius’ personal journey was beyond consoling and has helped me feel more connected to this faith and spirituality that I have been a part of for close to 20 years. My identity as Jesuit-educated and as a Jesuit educator has deepened. The only thing more beautiful than the sacred places and spaces were the faces of those I traveled with. My colleagues through conversations, laughter, and meals together have truly become my companions. I’m extremely grateful to the benefactors, our trip organizers, and our guides for helping to make this a truly joyous experience.
- JUSTIN WHITE
b arcelona
IN FEBRUARY 1523 St. Ignatius arrived to Barcelona with sights set on finding a ship to take independently to Rome. Between begging from the locals and conversing with religious people, St. Ignatius spent twenty days in Barcelona before being able to find a solo excursion to Italy. Eventually he returned to Barcelona in March 1524, when he eventually went to college for two years and reformed religious standards of the local female convents, and spent more time in hospice when he was eventually attacked due to local males’ chagrin.
LA SAGRADA PASSION FACADE MARY THIELEN
church of s anta M ar Í a
del M ar
This church in Barcelona marks one of the spots where St. Ignatius begged for money for to pay for his studies, and is home to a sculpture of him right where he used to sit while doing so.
t he g othic Q uarter
Barcelona's Gothic Quarter encompasses the oldest parts of the city of Barcelona, though it wouldn't be known as much more than Ignatius' labyrinthine stomping grounds until its 19th-20th century augmentation that transformed the area into a tourist attraction.
RYAN MEDINA
TO TRAVEL THE STEPS of St. Ignatius
Loyola was the most treasured gift I have ever received. From the start of the mission to the end, spectacular in all aspects. The sights, sounds, food, and most importantly the friendships forged were the most amazing experience one could ever ask for in a lifetime. Upon reflecting on this rich and spiritual experience, words just can’t convey all that was captured. The journey was something which will never be able to be repeated. I was blessed to be chosen to be part of the group and to have traveled along with such wonderful people. It was awe-inspiring.
- BRIGID MITCHERLING
exploring our r o M an h eritage
CENTRAL HISTORICAL DISTRICT
THE GESÙ
THE CHURCH OF ST. IGNATIUS
THE JESUIT CURIA
ST. PETER’S BASILICA
THE VATICAN MUSEUMS
THE BORGO AREA
eritage
JESUIT CURIA ROME, ITALY BRIGID
rIT’S SAID THAT GOD as well as luck brought St. Ignatius behind the gates of Rome. Weak after a voyage of five days and nights to Italy’s border, St. Ignatius found the city gates closed and was forced to spend the night in a damp church. In the morning he found a procession with the Roman duchess leaving the city gates, and he managed to successfully plead with her for entry, soon arriving to Rome on Palm Sunday.
St. Ignatius spent the final period of his life in Rome, establishing the Society of Jesus; the Roman College; the Germanicum, a seminary for German candidates for the priesthood; and a home for young women and another for converted Jews.
ST. PAUL'S BASILICA SUE YANCISIN
WHAT STANDS OUT TO ME MOST from this
Ignatian Pilgrimage is a new context: for the first time, I heard of St. Ignatius as “the Patron Saint of Plan B.” In our society, the notion of “Plan B” implies this is not what you really wanted. For example, as Ignatius was convalescing from his injuries, his family gave him Vita Christi to read instead of Amadís de Gaula or Orlando Furioso. Journeying to the significant sites of Ignatius’ life, however, I cannot help but be amazed at what I see and experience. Azpeitia. Barcelona. Manresa. Rome. These places were Ignatius’ Plan B. We should remember that we can and should seek God in all things as they become available to us, rather than filter through a hierarchy. In short, let’s stop giving Plan B such a bad reputation. Things worked out well for St. Ignatius, right?
- LLOYD FRIAS
Sometimes my work can seem mundane or rote, disconnected from my“Vocation..." work has the potential to impact someone’s life in a way that may
EVERY SITE WE VISITED was impactful in its own way—whether it was the beauty of the Spanish landscape, rich history of various sites, or magnificent churches and art that all pay homage to important people and experiences of our Faith. However, one experience in Rome has lingered in my mind more than the rest: the shrine to St. Francis Xavier in the Gesù church. This shrine included a display case which houses a relic of St. Francis: his right arm.
These relics get collected as reminders of the amazing and impactful people of whom they are attributed; they are connections for us to the lives of the saints. This relic in particular, has made an impact on many, as a connection to Ignatius’s long time companion, St. Francis Xavier. I was at first awestruck in the meaning of this object.
Once this awe washed over me, my brain zoomed out and I found some meaning not in the object itself but the idea of this
my“Vocation..." but all of our may bring them closer to God.
Saint’s arm being in Rome. Practically speaking, someone got sent on assignment to Goa to retrieve a part of Francis Xavier’s body as a relic to be housed in Rome. Imagine being a young Jesuit, aspiring to save souls, preach, or serve people as per your vocation that you are answering—and instead you get sent halfway across the world and back on a quick assignment to get an arm. This idea intrigues and amuses me because of a level of absurdity that just happens in our world sometimes. And yet it is important. This brings me back to my calling of working in Jesuit Education. Sometimes my work can seem mundane or rote, disconnected from my “Vocation.” However, just like whatever young Jesuits that made their trip to Goa for an arm, sometimes we recognize when we are doing something important—sometimes we don’t—but all of our work has the potential to impact someone’s life in a way that may bring them closer to God, closer to someone becoming their best self, and closer to our world truly being set on fire.
- GRADY RILEY
t he c hurch of the g esù
The Church of the Gesù is considered the "mother church" of the Society of Jesus, and serves as a model for many Jesuit churches across the world. It was first conceived in 1551 by St. Ignatius, and features a chapel dedicated to St. Francis Xavier which hosts the relic of the saint's right arm (which is said to have baptized 300,000 people).
GESÙ FACADE BRIGID MITCHERLING
CHURCH OF ST. IGNATIUS INTERIOR BRIGID MITCHERLING
t he c
hurch of
s t . i gnatius
Construction on the church of St. Ignatius began in 1625, four years after St. Ignatius' canonization. Its interior fresco, The Glory of St. Ignatius, was created by painter, mathemetician, and Jesuit lay-brother Andrea Pozzo.
THE PILGRIMAGE
THIS SUMMER took us from the “serrated” mountains of Spain to the cradle of Western civilization in Ancient Rome. We broke bread together, prayed together, and learned intimately the details of St. Ignatius’ life. The most significant part of the trip for me was to deepen my spiritual relationships with my colleagues and friends. There are not many workplaces that put so much importance on pausing and reflecting in silence with your coworkers as this trip allowed us. We all came together to help the other, to listen to the other and share our gifts and strengths. I’m very grateful to work with a group of people so kind, intellectually curious, and open to the present moment.
- AUDREY FASTUCA
AS A JESUIT
having the chance to visit the sites that were pivotal in the life of St. Ignatius and the founding of the Jesuit order was truly a pilgrimage of faith and grace. However, sharing these with my colleagues was even more amazing, blessed and graced! The privilege of offering Mass in the rooms of conversion at Loyola, the cave at Manresa and the rooms of Ignatius’ death in Rome was so very moving. The realization that I was able to guide and invite others into an encounter with the sacred spaces of St. Ignatius was truly passing on a living legacy. I know it transformed all of my colleagues and that they will be able in new and profound ways to share the legacy that is living in them with our community. AMDG!
- FR. BRUCE STEGGERT, S.J.
SOURCES:
Walking with Inigo — The Ignatian Camino (ignatiancomino.com)
Loyola Sanctuary | Birthplace of Saint Ignatius (loyola.global/en/sanctuary)
St. Ignatius in Barcelona, Montserrat and the Manresa Cave (foreverbarcelona.com)
This is where St. Ignatius begged for money to pay for his studies (aleteia.org)
Saint Ignatius of Loyola | Biography, Patron Saint Of, Feast Day, & Facts | Britannica (britannica.com)
A Pilgrim's Journey: The Autobiography of Saint Ignatius of Loyola (jesuits-eum.org)
The Church of Sant' Ignazio di Loyola in Rome - Walks in Rome (Est. 2001) (walksinrome.com)
Day Two: Arantzazu | America Magazine (americamagazine.org)
