In September-October 2023 a group of 15 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 masterpiece, the Spiritual Exercises. Pilgrims will walk virtually the same route that Ignatius did, pass through many towns he did, pray at churches where he did, and marvel at the natural wonders that he saw.

Pilgrims will be on a 20-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. Each day pilgrims will have the opportunity for daily Mass, either said by the guide Fr Josep Lluís Iriberri SJ, or the spiritual director Fr Michael Smith SJ. Each day, there will be periods of silence, prayer, personal reflection, spiritual conversation, and sharing in small groups.

Spiritual director

Michael Smith, SJ, is a Jesuit priest in the Australian Province who is originally from New Zealand. A spiritual director, executive coach, and pastoral counselor, Michael teaches in the online Master of Spiritual Direction program at Australian Catholic University and is priest-in-residence at Saint Ignatius Parish in Richmond, Victoria.

Guide

Josep Lluís Iriberri SJ is 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 2023.