Galicia – A Journey into the Heart of Mystical Spain

Location

Galicia, Spain

Dates

June 18-25 (7 nights)

Author

St. John of the Cross
St. Teresa de Avila
Rosalia de Castro

Program Description

In the northwest corner of Spain lies Galicia, a land of mist and green, the end of the world for the Greeks and where Homer thought that the sun completed its circle. This is Celtic Spain, an interior land where myths and poetry abound and one is never too far from a monastery. The continent’s highest cliffs are to be found here, but also the fertile unions of sea and land which are
the rias, remarkable formations where the ocean calms and penetrates inland to bring life. Old prominent hills worn down by erosion abound and lush valleys appear here and there carved out by a thousand rivers. In the remotest spots are the briars, the ancient, mysterious forest.

Galicia is also home to one of the most important pilgrimages of the Catholic Middle Ages – the end of the road along the Milky Way that has as its destination the spectacular Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Along the cobble stone streets of this beautiful city the bagpipes sound out, merging hauntingly with the ringing of church bells.

To help us unearth the mysteries we will be discussing selections from Spain’s best loved mystical poets – St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa de Avila. We will also be reading the poetry of Galicia’s greatest literary luminary, Rosalia de Castro. Together we will visit the Roman cities of Lugo and Orense, the spectacular medieval city of Santiago de Compostela and the town of Ribadavia, whose old Jewish quarter has been declared
a cultural monument. Our lodgings will be in the countryside, surrounded by the natural splendour that makes Galicia so
distinctive. We will be accompanied on our trip by Rob Castle, Cantor at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene, who will give short Gregorian recitals and talks about monastic life and history.

Discussion Leaders

Béa Gonzalez is a native of Galicia currently living in Toronto. She is a writer of many articles and reviews and two novels that have been translated into German, Spanish, Dutch and Serbian. She will give all the talks and lead the discussions and the local walks.

Robert Castle is a member of the Board of the Gregorian Institute of Canada (GIC) and Director of the massed choirs of the GIC at the national colloquium.

Accommodation

Monastery of San Clodio (Leiro), 3 nights
Casa de Fervenza (near Lugo), 2 nights
Casa Grande de Bachao (near Santiago), 2 nights

Fees

$2,850 Cdn
$400 Cdn – single supplement

$2,600 U.S.
$360 U.S. – single supplement

Fees include

books with the readings
accommodation
daily discussion
guided walks
two meals each day
informal talks
admissions
local public transportation
private tours
receptions