Apertas Europe
APERTAS is the IGNATIAN WELCOME service for pilgrims arriving in Santiago de Compostela… but it is also training, personal and community prayer, personal accompaniment, and a deep experience of mission lived in community.
¿When? From July 2nd at lunchtime (2:00 pm) until July 14th after breakfast (9:30 am).
5 Dimensions:
1. SERVICE…
…in the Welcome of Pilgrims: At the San Agustín Residence Hall and at the facilities of San Francisco Javier School, as well as at the Pilgrim Welcome Office (ACC) in Santiago de Compostela, with whom we work closely.
…in the meal and dinner service at the Soup Kitchen of the Daughters of Charity: Getting to know the reality of a city where Jesus is also present in those in need.
2. TRAINING…
…in Christian hospitality: It will help the volunteer to deepen the basic elements of welcoming: empathy, active listening, knowledge of the history of pilgrimages to Santiago, etc.
…in Ignatian spirituality: It will offer volunteers tools to help them read their own life as a pilgrimage. At the same time, it will help them attend to the pilgrims they encounter using these tools: discernment, choice, searching for God’s will, gratitude, etc.
3. PRAYER…
…personal: Every day there is a space and time for personal prayer to reflect more deeply on the lived experience and to prepare to welcome the pilgrims.
…community: Volunteers collaborate in and lead the two daily prayers offered to all pilgrims in the city: at 1:30 p.m. in the Chapel of the Pilgrim’s Office, in the style of the Ignatian Examen, and at 8:15 p.m. in the Chapel of Communion of the Cathedral of Santiago, where a vigil for pilgrims takes place.
4. PERSONAL ACCOMPANIMENT: Throughout the entire experience, the APERTAS Team (made up of religious and lay people with experience in accompaniment) will be available to personally accompany the volunteers on a personal, group, and spiritual level.
5. COMMUNITY LIFE: During the 15 days that APERTAS lasts, a true Christian community in mission is created—one that prays, eats, serves, shares, lives, and has fun TOGETHER.
Practical Information:
✏️ The cost of the experience (a contribution to cover expenses related to the program, meals, accommodation, etc.) is €210