2015 Ignatian Pilgrimage
Highlights from the 2015 Ignatian Pilgrimage
Participants
Carolyn McNamara Barry, Professor of Psychology
Cheryl Moore-Thomas, Associate Professor of Teacher Education
Diana Schaub, Professor of Political Science
Photographs
2015 participants, gathered above the Jesuit Curia overlooking St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Courtesy of Carolyn Barry.
Sunrise walk at Montserrat, courtesy of Diana Schaub. "I tried to capture the conjunction of natural beauty and human devotion to the source of Creation."
Humble shoes of Ignatius, courtesy of Diana Schaub.
Landscape from Loyola's hometown, courtesy of Carolyn Barry.
Sculpture of St. Ignatius taken after his death, courtesy of Carolyn Barry.
Reflection on the Ignatian pilgrimage experience
By Carolyn McNamara Barry
As I reflect upon my 2015 Ignatian Pilgrimage, I knew it was a phenomenal faculty
development opportunity; however, I am delighted by how transformative it was for
me. The experience can be captured in three major benefits.
Attention: In the classic Ignatian spirituality, my fellow pilgrims and I carefully
attended to the life of St. Ignatius and the history of the Jesuits in reading and
discussing seminal volumes prior to our departure. While I have had numerous other
Catholic or Jesuit professional development opportunities in my 14 years at Loyola
to date, this succinct time period complete with rich dialogue with fellow pilgrims
across institutions resulted in a substantially greater foundation of knowledge of
the unique lives of this famous Jesuits and the world in which they lived. With this
more solidified foundation, I was then able to reflect more deeply on my own life's
journey to date.
Journey: The pilgrimage furthered my attention by seeing many of the significant places
in the life of St. Ignatius, rereading his autobiography while on the trip, and making
connections to moments of consolation and desolation in my own life. More importantly,
the pilgrimage allowed me to have a break from my usual work and home responsibilities
to engage in this macro discernment. The breathtaking vistas, rugged mountains of
Northern Spain, inspiring works of art represented in countless monasteries to cathedrals
to Ancient Roman ruins enhanced my ability to situate myself not only in my own lifespan
but across human civilization.
Social Support: The interior work with which I was able to accomplish was furthered
by my fellow pilgrims through our rich conversations over meals, while touring sites,
riding on buses, or going for a morning hike. The sense of cura personalis that each
pilgrim displayed toward others in the group was remarkable, and very much appreciated.
In sum, the pilgrimage has allowed me to gain greater clarity in my own moments of
consolation and desolation to date, which in turn have re-energized me not only for
the coming year, but in setting meaningful professional and personal goals for the
many years to come. I am so very grateful to have been given this significant opportunity
for incorporating Ignatian spirituality further into my own life both professionally
and personally.
Contact Us
Beth Kotchick, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Graduate Academic AffairsJenkins Hall 120H, ext. 5290