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Come with us on this unique pilgrimage and retreat to renew your spirit this autumn. Not only will you pilgrimage through Southern Spain, a beautiful land where the Catholic Church's rich 2,000-year history comes alive, but also you will partake in a retreat led by Father Charles T. Murr, a well-known Catholic priest who is a best-selling author, philosopher, theologian, trained psychologist and pastor of souls. 

(Go to Urbi et Orbi Communications' YouTube channel to get a sense of Father Murr's love of Christ, intellect, joy and great sense of humor.  Click here for a playlist of his videos.)

For the entirety of our pilgrimage and retreat, you will spend seven (7) nights in Carmona, Spain at the Convento Madre de Dios de Carmona, a convent hotel that has been home to Dominican nuns since 1515. In this convent, Father Murr will lead our retreat and celebrate Mass.  During our days together, we also will journey to some of the most beautiful towns in all of Andalusia, Spain:

Carmona is a town where you will feel, breathe and experience its true essence as you walk along the streets. At each turn, you will be transported to a different period - from the city's Neolithic origins, to Julius Caesar’s revolt in Rome in 69 B.C., to the Christian-Muslim struggle after the Muslim invasion in the 700s. 

Córdoba was once the premier city of the Western World, the greatest metropolis west of Constantinople, and the seat of Europe's first university.  All agree that it is one of the most beautiful cities in the world!

Ronda is one of the most beautiful (and visited!) villages in Andalusia. This village, located on a rocky promontory offers magnificent panoramas over the whole valley. Divided in 2 by the Guadalevin river, it’s famous for the Puente Nuevo, the bridge linking the 2 sides of the 100m deep El Tajo Canyon.

Setenil de las Bodegas  is a very unusual village to see and discover. It is one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. It is atypical because many of the houses are troglodyte. They are built from caves or under rocky overhangs. It seems that this little village made up of natural caves, has been inhabited for more than six thousand years. Its particular geography made Setenil a strong place and particularly difficult to conquer. It took 7 sieges of the city before the Catholic kings were victorious and took Setenil. The last, victorious attack took place on 21 September 1484. The city fell into the hands of the Catholic kings following an assault by troops led by Rodrigo Ponce de León, Duke of Cadiz. Legend has it that the name Setenil comes from the translation of the Latin words “Septem Nihil” which means “seven times nothing”. The full name, on the other hand, dates from the 15th century. This was the period when new Christians settled here. In addition to preserving the olive and almond fields, they introduced vines. The caves that were used to preserve the wine naturally gave the name of “Bodegas”.

Seville was founded as a Roman city and is now home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and is bursting with antique charm. The Alcazar palace complex is a stunning collage of architectural styles, and the Cathedral is famed for its beauty and its status as the burial site of Christopher Columbus.

The people, the history, and the traditions of these towns will give richness, beauty and context to the talks of our retreat.  

This retreat led by Father Murr will be a profound spiritual journey.  Father Murr's steadfast faith, his wide learning, and his unfailing humor will make this retreat engaging, spirit-filled and Christ-centered. 

Although Mass will be offered daily, we can not guarantee that the Traditional Latin Mass will be celebrated every day.

Experience this once-in-a-lifetime Pilgrimage and Retreat and grow closer to Christ. 

Highlights of the Pilgrimage and Lenten Retreat with Father Murr

• Four mornings in retreat with Fr. Murr
• Enjoy dinner at Fr. Murr’s home 
• Stay in a beautiful convent for 7 nights in the historic town of Carmona: no need to move your bags!
• Lunch in Ronda with stunning views
• Attend Mass at the Cathedral of Seville
• Receive a personalized ITV pilgrim book and retreat book
• Daily Mass  
• Limited to a small group of just 20 pilgrims

Participants are responsible for arranging and paying for their own air travel for the Spain: Pilgrimage and Lenten Retreat with Fr. Murr 2025 pilgrimage.

Arrival Information:

• Airport: Seville Airport (Aeropuerto de Sevilla-San Pablo) (SVQ)
• Date: Tuesday, March 11, 2025 (Day 1 of the pilgrimage)
• Time: 3:00 PM (Local Time)
• Transfer: group transfer from the airport and the recommended early arrival hotel to the convent hotel in Carmona

For experienced travelers, flying into Madrid and taking the 2-hour high-speed train to Seville is an option. However, this is best suited for those who feel comfortable navigating travel within Spain. If you're interested in this option, please contact our office for more details.

We recommend arriving one day early, on Monday, March 10, 2025, to allow for rest and more flexibility with flight options. If you choose to arrive early, please contact our office for assistance with booking the recommended early arrival hotel. 

Departure Information:

• Airport: Seville Airport (Aeropuerto de Sevilla-San Pablo) (SVQ) 
• Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2025 (Day 8 of the pilgrimage)
• Time: After 10:00 AM (Local Time)
• Transfer: Group transfer to the airport at 7:00 AM

It is necessary to depart the hotel 3 hours before flight departure.   If you choose a flight with a departure time before 10:00 AM, you will be responsible for the cost of an individual airport transfer.

Recommended Travel Agency:

For booking flights, Inside the Vatican Pilgrimages recommends using Gulliver's Travel. Cindy McCoy, an experienced travel agent at Gulliver's Travel, will handle your airline reservations and then forward them to our office, making the process seamless for you!

• Travel Agent: Cindy McCoy
• Email: cindy@gullivers.com
• Phone: +1.817.924.7766

Contact Information:

For any other questions, please call the U.S. Office: +1.202.536.4555

With more than 30 years of publishing Inside the Vatican magazine, we have colleagues and friends all over the world — and many of them have become part of our Pilgrimage family. Designing an Inside the Vatican pilgrimage begins with a theme or a particular country; then we weave in encounters with real people who live and work there, as well as those with expert knowledge in its historical and spiritual perspectives. Each day we will have the opportunity to attend Mass. Our itineraries include both world-renowned and little-known places, and every detail has been arranged to create a truly unique experience; we do not have cookie-cutter pilgrimages! Whether you choose one of our intimate-sized Signature Pilgrimages,  or a Classic Pilgrimage with budget-friendly pricing, we work hard to ensure that every pilgrimage is a moving experience, an authentic spiritual journey for each pilgrim.

Contact Information:

Phone: +1.202.536.4555  Monday-Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm ET.
Email: Pilgrimages@InsideTheVatican.com. 
WhatsApp: +1.540.631.4392

Before you book your trip with us, please read carefully our Terms and Conditions

Use EARLY when you register on or before Tuesday, November 26, 2024 to receive a $150.00 discount.  Contact us to inquire about any applicable discounts.

We will transfer from the Seville airport to Carmona, Spain where we will stay in the Convento Madres de Dios. This convent provides a unique atmosphere as it is located in the heart of old Carmona, just off the Plaza San Fernando. 

Carmona is a town where you will feel, breathe and experience its true essence as you walk along the streets. At each turn, you will be transported to a different period - from the city's Neolithic origins, to Julius Caesar’s revolt in Rome in 69 B.C., to the Christian-Muslim struggle after the Muslim invasion in the 700s. This charming, small walled city, will be our home for the next 7 nights. 

After settling into our rooms, we will gather for a welcome Mass and dinner.

Overnight in Carmona. Dinner is included.

After breakfast, we will spend the morning on retreat with Fr. Murr. After Mass and lunch, we will tour Carmona. A vibrant and charming market town, Carmona is one of the oldest towns in mainland Europe. The town retains many of the features of small-town Spain and its splendid architectural and cultural legacy. We will wander ancient, narrow streets and visit:

- St. Clare Convent where one can buy sweets through a hidden hole without seeing the cloistered nuns.

- Carmona's Jewish Quarter with its narrow alleys and decorated patios.

- The Plaza de Abastos with its white neoclassical architecture, was once a Dominican convent and now a city market.

- Carmona's Town Hall houses an important Roman mosaic (called the Mosaic of the Medusa), found during excavations in the ancient section of the town and originally decorating second-century AD Roman baths.

- The Parador, a converted fourteenth-century Arab fortress which boasts breathtaking views of the city.

We will have dinner at the Convento Madre de Dios de Carmona Hotel.

Overnight in Carmona. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner are included. 

After breakfast, we will continue our retreat with Fr. Murr, followed by Mass and lunch. In the afternoon, we will travel to Córdoba.

Córdoba was once the premier city of the Western World, the greatest metropolis west of Constantinople, and the seat of Europe's first university. Its historic old town is a World Heritage site, full of little streets to be explored, courtyards full of flowers, inviting squares, and lively taverns. We will visit:

- Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba, one of the most beautiful and unique buildings in the world.

- Historic Centre of Cordoba which comprises the streets surrounding the Great Mosque and reflects thousands of years of occupation by different cultural groups – Roman, Visigoth, Islamic, Jewish and Christian.

- Alcázar Andalusí de Córdoba, a fortress palace.

- The Synagogue, situated in the heart of the Jewish Quarter of Cordoba, unique in Andalusia and one of the three best preserved Medieval synagogues in the whole of Spain.

We will have dinner upon our arrival back in Carmona at the Convento Madre de Dios de Carmona Hotel.

Overnight in Carmona. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner are included. 

After breakfast and retreat with Fr. Murr, we will have Mass and then lunch. The afternoon will be a time to rest or explore Carmona on your own. In the late afternoon, we will transfer to a very special place for dinner!

Overnight in Carmona. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner are included. 

Today after breakfast we will travel south to one of the oldest cities in Spain - Ronda.  On our way to Ronda, we will stop in Setenil de las Bodegas, the most unique of all the white villages of Andalusia in Spain. 

Setenil de las Bodegas is a very unusual village to see and discover. It is one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. It is atypical because many of the houses are troglodyte. They are built from caves or under rocky overhangs. It seems that this little village made up of natural caves, has been inhabited for more than six thousand years. Its particular geography made Setenil a strong place and particularly difficult to conquer. It took 7 sieges of the city before the Catholic kings were victorious and took Setenil. The last, victorious attack took place on 21 September 1484. The city fell into the hands of the Catholic kings following an assault by troops led by Rodrigo Ponce de León, Duke of Cadiz. Legend has it that the name Setenil comes from the translation of the Latin words “Septem Nihil” which means “seven times nothing”. The full name, on the other hand, dates from the 15th century. This was the period when new Christians settled here. In addition to preserving the olive and almond fields, they introduced vines. The caves that were used to preserve the wine naturally gave the name of “Bodegas”.

Today, Setenil de las Bodegas is surrounded by fields of olive trees. However, its most impressive feature is the huge rocks that overhang the pretty white houses. We will view the narrow streets with their rock overhang and visit the late Gothic-style Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación Parish Church.  

Ronda is one of the most beautiful (and visited!) villages in Andalusia. This village, located on a rocky promontory offers magnificent panoramas over the whole valley. Divided in 2 by the Guadalevin River, it’s famous for the Puente Nuevo, the bridge linking the 2 sides of the 100m deep El Tajo Canyon.

In Ronda, we will see the traditional white-washed houses as we stroll the narrow cobbled streets of the old quarter where you can get lunch on your own (typical dishes are Serranía gazpacho and the wild mushrooms or Moorish-origin sweetmeats such as the pestiños).   We will see one of the oldest and grandest bullrings in Spain; the Moorish King’s Palace with its lovely gardens and a former Arab mine with a stairway cut into the rock that descends to the river;  and 13th-century Arab Baths which are said to be the best preserved on the entire Iberian Peninsula.  

We will have dinner upon our arrival back in Carmona at the Convento Madre de Dios de Carmona Hotel.

Overnight in Carmona. Breakfast and Dinner are included. Lunch is on your own.

After breakfast, we will pilgrimage to Seville and attend Mass in the beautiful Cathedral de Sevilla, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world.

Seville was founded as a Roman city and is now home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and is bursting with antique charm. The Alcazar Palace complex is a stunning collage of architectural styles, and the Cathedral is famed for its beauty and its status as the burial site of Christopher Columbus.

After attending Mass in the Cathedral de Sevilla, we will have:

- a private tour of the Cathedral de Sevilla, the third-largest cathedral in the world and the largest Gothic-style cathedral

- a private tour of the Royal Alcazar of Seville, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and the oldest royal palace in Europe that is still in use today

During your free time in the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to visit: 

- La Giralda, the cathedral's bell tower and the most emblematic monument in the city, built originally as a minaret when the cathedral was a mosque (optional)

- Torre del Oro, the golden tower of Seville, a dodecagonal military watchtower built in the 13th century

- Plaza de España, the most beautiful plaza in Seville

Dinner will be back at the Convento Madre de Dios de Carmona Hotel.

Overnight in Carmona. Breakfast and Dinner are included. Lunch is on your own.

After breakfast we will have a retreat wrap-up with Fr. Murr, Mass, and then a very special farewell lunch at the Convento Madre de Dios de Carmona Hotel. The afternoon will be free time to rest, explore, or pack. We will gather together for vigil Mass and dinner at the Convento Madre de Dios de Carmona Hotel.

Overnight in Carmona. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner are included. 

After breakfast, we will depart via transfer bus for Seville airport.

Farewell fellow pilgrims... until we meet again. 

Breakfast is included.