My journey exemplified why I chose to attend Georgetown. Even before the trip, attending class in the Ecumenical Chapel every Monday and Wednesday was a constant affirmation of my college decision. Student-led discussions on the development of St. Ignatius’ spiritual exercises and how Georgetown’s Jesuit identity is lived out in the world provided me with an immense amount of insights.
On an afternoon hike on the Mountain of Montserrat with Michael Woch (C’26).
We learned and grew from each other. Despite practicing a variety of faith traditions and coming from unique backgrounds, I so easily identified similarities with my classmates’ individual faith journeys. It reminded me that although there is a uniqueness in each Georgetown student, we each share common values that brought us to the Hilltop and a desire to better understand our spiritual needs.
Our time in Spain was filled to the brim with life lesson after life lesson. Wickman described how, despite studying music in college, his discernment process brought him in a different direction. Fr. Schenden expressed similar sentiments, and how it’s okay to “not have everything figured out” when it comes to what one is called to achieve in life. And to me, that’s what a Jesuit education is all about.
I chose Georgetown so that I can engage in class-wide discussions and critical thinking exercises that provide insights into this loaded question. Learning about the life of St. Ignatius and walking in his footsteps demonstrated how even saints may not hold the answers. Like the founder of the Society of Jesus, we all may need our own “cannonball moments” to find direction in life. Traveling to Spain with my class helped me recognize little times such as these throughout my daily life. Moments of consolation, contemplative reflection and eye-opening realizations.
Ignatian Tradition and Pilgrimage students on an afternoon walk in Sos Del Rey Catolico.
I wouldn’t have wanted to spend my spring break anywhere or with anyone else. Georgetown is unique because we have students who choose to participate in difficult discussions about personal matters halfway across the world rather than vacationing on a beach. And that’s something very special to me. My Georgetown story features opportunities left and right that put me in uncomfortable places.
These opportunities have made me become a human grounded in the core tenets of Ignatian spirituality — being open to new perspectives that challenge my own beliefs and deciphering between the things that bring me consolation rather than desolation.
This pilgrimage to Spain has definitely been one of the most impactful of these experiences, an opportunity that has helped me progress along my spiritual journey, something I will remember for a lifetime.