Spain: Pilgrimage and Lenten Retreat with Father Murr

      Carmona, Seville, Spain

      It
      22 reviews
      Mar 10 - 17, 2024
      Group size: 12 - 20
      Spain: Pilgrimage and Lenten Retreat with Father Murr
      Carmona, Seville, Spain

      22 reviews

      $NaN
      Mar 10 - 17, 2024
      Group size: 12 - 20

      About this trip

      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. 

      Why Choose ITV Pilgrimages?

      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.

      Register By Mail

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

      Discount Codes

      $250 Early Booking Discount - To apply this discount apply on or before Monday, December 11, 2023 and use discount code: EARLY, when registering.


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

      What’s included

      • Meals
        Seven (7) breakfasts, four (4) lunches, and five (5) dinners are included. On your own meals: two (2) lunches, and two (2) dinners.
      • Private Motor Coach
        Private motor coach bus and all group transfers are included.
      • Taxes and Fees
        All local taxes are included.
      • Entrance Fees
        All entrance fees are included.
      • Arrival Group Transfer
        There will be a group transfer from Seville Airport (SVQ) to the hotel.
      • Departure Group Transfer
        There will be a group transfer to Seville Airport (SVQ) from the hotel.
      • Airfare
        Airfare to and from Spain
      • Gratuities
        Gratuities payable to the bus driver.
      • Individual Transfers
        Airport transfers for participants not arriving or departing within specified time frames to participate in the group transfers.
      • Meals
        Meals not specifically identified: two (2) lunches, and two (2) dinners.
      • Other Personal Expenses
        Other personal expenses including, but not limited to, laundry services, minibar in hotel rooms, et cetera.

      Available Packages

      Land Only: Double Room
      Available until January 8, 2024

      Price is per person for double room occupancy (2 people per room). Airfare is not included.

      If you are paying for both participants who are in the double room,  select "2" as the quantity to be able to add both names in the reservation. 

      $3,500
      Deposit: $750
      Land Only: Single Room
      Available until January 8, 2024

      Price is per person for a single occupancy room. Airfare is not included. 

      $3,900
      Deposit: $750


      Itinerary

      Day 1: Sunday, March 10
      Carmona: Welcome Dinner and Mass with Father Murr

      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.

      Your Organizer


      It
      Inside the Vatican Pilgrimages
      22 reviews
      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. Every detail has been arranged to create a unique experience; an authentic spiritual journey for each pilgrim.

      Reviews

      The trip was educational and fun, and we got to see many monasteries and sites crafted and built beyond our imagination. The people in Lebanon were very friendly and welcoming especially our tour guide Eli who was so genuine and helpful and a Colonel in the Airforce and his family who welcomed us into their house for dessert and helped us have the golf cart rides into town. We were also blessed to have Dr. Rober Moynihan and Deborah Tomilinson travel with us and generously share their knowledge of Lebanon with us. A big thank you to Fr. John for saying mass and my fellow pilgrims who got along so well with each other. It was a great pilgrimage, and I would do it again, but I would love a better price! Bhimla
      By Bhimla A for Lebanon: Ancient Monasteries and Modern Saints 2023 on Oct 10, 2023
      One of a kind great trip. delicious food, wonderful people. Accommodation... one place, a bit of difficult to use bathroom. but overall good. Thanks to all guides made us happy!
      By Tomiko H for Lebanon: Ancient Monasteries and Modern Saints 2023 on Sep 29, 2023
      Tomiko, it was a joy to be with you on pilgrimage! We have already changed our hotel for next year. We apologize for this difficulty.
      It
      I had a wonderful and spiritual pilgrimage to Garabandal, Loyola and Lourdes. Many special surprise blessings everyday! The accommodations and meals were more than I expected. I would definitely travel with Inside Vatican Pilgrimages again.
      By Kathleen B for Inside The Vatican Pilgrimages: Garabandal and Lourdes on Sep 12, 2023
      This pilgrimage far exceeded my expectations. I was blessed with great experiences, beautiful places, wonderful food and accommodations and great fellowship! I feel energized and spiritually fed and I will be eternally grateful for this experience! Yours in Christ, Karin
      By Karin C for Inside The Vatican Pilgrimages: Garabandal and Lourdes on Sep 12, 2023
      Karin, It was a joy to be on pilgrimage with you. Thank you for being a part of this pilgrimage creating the memories that we all share. We hope to see you again soon! Deborah
      It
      This pilgrimage was excellent, all that I wanted it to be. My thanks to Inside the Vatican Pilgrimages for organizing it. I will have memories for life from this pilgrimage.
      By Thomas L for Inside The Vatican Pilgrimages: Garabandal and Lourdes on Sep 11, 2023
      Show More Reviews

      References

      This was a wonderful pilgrimage! I am impressed by the vastness of the land, farms , rivers and lakes. The Catholic-European influence in the Heartland of Mary is undeniable. I enjoyed the Catholic spirit that was present among the pilgrims and at our accommodations. Thanks for all the work that went into planning this beautiful event. Mechtild Boles, Pilgrim "Wisconsin, the Heartland of Mary"
      By Mechtild B on 13 Sep, 2022