Come with us on this unique Pilgrimage and Lenten Retreat to renew your spirit during Lent. Not only will you pilgrimage through Southern Spain, a beautiful land where the Catholic Church's rich 2,000-year history comes alive during Lent, but also you will partake in a Lenten 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 Lenten 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 Lenten 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. 

Experience this once-in-a-lifetime Pilgrimage and Lenten Retreat and grow closer to Christ as we prepare our hearts for the joy of the Risen Christ on Easter morning. 

Optional Add-On: 3 nights in Madrid 

March 17, 2024 - March 20, 2024 — 3 Nights at a 4 star hotel in the heart of Madrid

Damian Migallo will be your tour guide and will be with you the entire time during your stay in  Madrid. Damian will also be the guide on the Pilgrimage and Lenten Retreat with Fr. Murr (and with you for the entire retreat).  He lives in Madrid and speaks fluent Spanish.  

The following are some highlights of your days in Madrid:  

* The Cathedral of the Almudena and adjoining Royal Palace

* The Royal Basilica of San Francisco el Grande

* The San Isidro Museum

* Plaza Mayor

* The Pontifical Basilica of San Miguel, Plaza de la Villa and Mercado de San Miguel

* Puerta del Sol, Calle Preciados, Callao and Gran Via (landmarks, restaurant and shopping area)

* El Prado Art Gallery and the Retiro Park

The advantage of this small group with Damian as your private guide is that as time allows, places you see or things you do can be added to meet your interests. Be aware that there will be walking involved on this add-on to Madrid.

Cost for Madrid Add-On

$1,250 for double occupancy (Choose "2" when booking this options)

$1,550 for single occupancy.  

Included

3 nights in a four star hotel

3 breakfasts

Train ticket from Seville to Madrid

private guide the entire time in Madrid

Not Included

3 lunches 

3 dinners dinner 

Departure transfer to the Madrid airport

With 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. 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! 

Our aim in this unique Pilgrimage and Lenten Retreat is to have your journey with us be a peaceful, enjoyable, unforgettable experience, one that enriches your life and deepens your faith. Although we will visit many very famous places of cultural and artistic significance, our journey is primarily a pilgrimage, not a tour. The spiritual dimension – the search for a deeper understanding of God and a better appreciation of the history and life of the Church – is central. This is why the pace of our pilgrimage will be slow and peaceful, not hurried. There will be time to reflect and to pray.

We work hard to ensure that every pilgrimage is a moving experience, an authentic spiritual journey for each pilgrim.

If you prefer to register by mail, please call our U.S. Office +1.202.536.4555 or email Pilgrimages@InsideTheVatican.com

Call our office for information about any additional discount codes – U.S. Office at +1 202.536.4555.

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 Sunday 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, once a Dominican convent and now a city market.

- Carmona's Town Hall that 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.

Dinner will be on your own before we return to the Convento Madre de Dios de Carmona Hotel.

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

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.

Enjoy dinner on your own before we return to the Convento Madre de Dios de Carmona Hotel.

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

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 enjoy a delicious lunch in the center of Seville then we will 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.

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

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

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, then lunch. The afternoon will be free time to rest, explore or pack. We will gather for the Sunday vigil Mass and then a  live-streamed episode of the online Urbi et Orbi Show with Dr. Moynihan and Fr. Murr, followed by a farewell dinner celebration.

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.