Saint Vincent Archabbey is heading on a pilgrimage to Ireland!
Join Father Philip Kanfush, O.S.B., from May 12-21, 2025 to Walk in the Footsteps of Saint Patrick. Attached is the day-to-day itinerary and items included in the great price of $3,600. Airfare, lunch/dinner are not included. In the words of a pilgrim from last year, “I felt that Father Phil and Brother Bosco were super attentive to our pilgrim experience, kept us engaged in prayer, and offered important spiritual insights, and open to being flexible. We also felt there was a real bond among the pilgrims fostered by their leadership, but also allowed for autonomy without feeling guilty.”
Click here for the detailed itinerary in PDF format.
WALK IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF SAINT PATRICK
May 12-21, 2025
Father Philip Kanfush, O.S.B.
Join us for a transformative retreat as we embark on a journey through the life and legacy of Saint Patrick, the beloved apostle of Ireland. This immersive experience invites participants to walk in the footsteps of the saint, exploring the rich landscapes of Ireland that shaped his spiritual journey and examining the profound impact of his mission.
Retreat Highlights:
- Walking the Path: Traverse the stunning hills, valleys, and coastal paths that Saint Patrick once roamed. Each step offers a moment of reflection and connection to the land and its history, allowing participants to meditate on Patrick’s unwavering faith and dedication.
- Reflection and Prayer: Engage in guided reflections inspired by the life of Saint Patrick. Through scripture, stories, and contemplative practices, we will explore how the movement of the Holy Spirit influenced Patrick’s mission and how we, too, can recognize and respond to the Spirit’s work in our own lives.
- Discussions: Participate in dynamic sessions that delve into themes of conversion, resilience, and leadership. Through group discussions, we will reflect on our own spiritual journeys, seeking to discern the ways the Spirit calls us to serve in our communities today.
- Celtic Spirituality: Experience the richness of Celtic spirituality through prayer, music, and art. Discover how the wisdom of the ancients can inform and inspire our contemporary lives.
- Community and Fellowship: Connect with fellow pilgrims who share a desire for deeper spiritual understanding. Together, we will create a supportive environment for sharing insights and experiences, fostering bonds that extend beyond the retreat.
Why Attend?
Reflecting on the movement of the Spirit in Saint Patrick’s life invites us to consider our own spiritual awakenings and callings. Just as Patrick faced challenges and embraced transformation, we too can find strength in our journeys. This retreat offers a unique opportunity to:
- Deepen your faith: Gain fresh insights into how the Holy Spirit guides and inspires us.
- Embrace transformation: Learn to recognize the signs of the Spirit in your daily life and discern your own path of service.
- Cultivate community: Share your journey with others who seek to grow in faith and understanding.
Join us as we walk in the footsteps of Saint Patrick, allowing his spirit of courage and compassion to illuminate our paths. Together, we will seek the wisdom to recognize the movement of the Spirit in our lives, igniting a renewed passion for our own missions in the world.
Retreat Master: Father Philip M. Kanfush is a Benedictine monk and seasoned pilgrimage leader with over 20 years of experience as a retreat director and spiritual director. A member of the Saint Vincent Archabbey, where he serves as the Procurator and Chief Financial Officer of the Benedictine Community, Father Philip is a tenured member of the faculty at Saint Vincent College at the rank of full professor, where he currently teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in special education, children’s literature, reading instruction, statistics and research design and Irish folklore. Father Philip also serves as a chaplain to the Discalced Carmelite nuns in Latrobe, and serves a variety of parishes on weekends. In addition to his earned doctorate from West Virginia University, and theological degrees from Saint Vincent Seminary, Father Philip holds a post-graduate certificate in children’s literature from the Pennsylvania State University, where he developed a passion for exploring the intersections of faith, history, and spirituality. His extensive travels throughout Ireland have not only deepened his connection to the land but also enriched his understanding of Saint Patrick’s life and legacy.
With a warm and inviting demeanor, Father Philip creates a nurturing environment that encourages participants to reflect on their own spiritual journeys while reflecting on the movement of the Spirit in the lives of the saints. His approach combines thoughtful dialogue, prayer, and experiential learning, making each pilgrimage a unique opportunity for transformation.
Daily Schedule Synopsis
May 12-21, 2025
May 12 | Arrival in Dublin
Pilgrims should plan to arrive in Dublin by 9 a.m. There will be a pick-up from the airport, after which everyone embark on a panoramic driving tour of Dublin city centre. The group will stay at the Iveagh Garden Hotel. Following brunch—a full Irish breakfast—there will be Mass at Saint Teresa Church on Clarendon Street, and pilgrims will be free to explore Dublin on their own.
May 13 | Dublin to Downpatrick
Retreatants will visit the Hill of Tara and Newgrange on the way to Downpatrick, and Denvir’s Downpatrick Hotel. The Hill of Tara has been in use for more than 5000 years and is the legendary inauguration site of the ancient High Kings of Ireland. Newgrange, the Neolithic site, is 500 years older than the Pyramids of Egypt and features a state-of-the-art interactive exhibit allowing visitors to better experience this significant site.
May 14 | Downpatrick to Armagh
Mass at Down Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity, will be followed by a guided tour of the Cathedral, the site where Saint Patrick is buried. Following lunch, pilgrims will experience a guided tour of Saint Patrick Centre, the only permanent exhibition in the world about Ireland’s Patron Saint. Following will be a visit to the first church in Ireland at Saul where Saint Patrick died on March 17, before departing for Armagh and the Armagh City Hotel.
May 15 | Armagh to Donegal
The day will start at Armagh with Mass at Saint Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cathedral and a tour, followed by lunch, and a stop at Saint Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral before a departure for Donegal and its serene beaches, charming harbor and its crown jewel, Donegal Castle. In 2017 this town was named the “Coolest Place on the Planet” by National Geographic Traveller. Central Hotel Donegal will be the evening’s stopover.
May 16 | Donegal to Castlebar
The picturesque and sacred Saint Patrick’s Purgatory, Lough Derg, is on Station Island in County Donegal, and is a popular pilgrimage site that allows visitors to reflect and meditate in peaceful surroundings. Castlebar features the Ceide Fields, Croagh Patrick, Foxford Woollen Mills and the Turlough Round Tower, as well as The Ellison Hotel, the stop for the night.
May 17 | Castlebar
The day will continue in Castlebar with Mass, stations and rosary at the Knock Shrine and a guided tour of Ballintubber Abbey,the only church in Ireland where for 800 years, Mass has been offered without a break. Travelers will return to The Ellison Hotel for the night.
May 18 | Castlebar to Galway
Group members will climb Croagh Patrick, where Saint Patrick fasted for forty days in 441 A.D. To summit the fourth highest peak in the county takes about two hours to go up, and ninety minutes to return. Non-climbers can visit the Murrisk Abbey ruins and the National Famine Memorial. Cong is a small village that was featured in the 1952 movie, The Quiet Man, starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara, and will be a stop on the way to Galway and the Eyre Square Hotel.
May 19 | Galway to Cashel
The European Capital of Culture in 2020, Galway is at the heart of Ireland’s stunning western coast. The awe-inspiring views from The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland’s most popular destinations. Pilgrims will attend Mass at Saint Augustine Church before departing on the day’s tours, and end the evening at the Baileys Hotel Cashel.
May 20 | Cashel to Dublin
This final day will include a visit to the Rock of Cashel, visit to Saint Brigid’s Well and the Cathedral and Round Tower before departing for Dublin and the closing Mass at Saint Teresa Church.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION:
Deadline for Registration: February 1, 2025
Deposit Fee: $1200
Full Amount: $3,600. Airfare and lunch and dinner are not included.
Check-In: Details of the check-in will be sent upon registration.
- Transport from the airport at Dublin
- Full Irish breakfast daily
- Accommodations for two people with private bathroom
- Single/solo Accommodation available at $500.00 extra charge
- Two Benedictine Chaplains
- Daily Mass
- Opportunity to pray Morning and Evening Prayer and Rosary daily
- Daily reflections/meditations
- On-line preparatory meetings with Monks accompanying you on this pilgrimage
THE TRIP DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Airfare to/from Ireland
- Passport, visa, or luggage fees
- Any personal purchases
- Any meals not listed on the itinerary
- Drinks at meals
- Recommended travel protection
- Any required COVID tests or vaccinations
- Anything else not explicitly mentioned as included
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