Behold the Beloved
contemplating Christ with John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila
SEGOVIA, 31 May - 5 June 2021
Retreat Description
In a conversation with his disciples Jesus asked them: “who do you say that I am?” (Mtt.16:15) This is one of the most important questions every follower of the rabbi of Nazareth has to wrestle with in their lives. In this retreat-pilgrimage we will explore our own images of God in conversation with the Spanish mystics, scriptures, art and nature.
Segovia is one of the most exquisite mediaeval cities in Spain, boasting a magnificent Roman aqueduct, a beautiful gothic cathedral and an iconic castle. It has also been a centre of Carmelite spirituality, since John’s and Teresa’s day to the present. Many of its streets, alleyways, churches and monasteries were places of special significance for the two mystics, and as part of this pilgrimage we will walk together in their footsteps through cobbled streets and by the river side. The retreat-pilgrimage will included two guided walks in Segovia: a poetry walk along the river to the Roman aqueduct, and a historic city walk (including a guided visit to the Segovia cathedral fine arts museum, exploring images of Christ in art). From Segovia we will be able to visit Avila, an impressive mediaeval walled city. Avila was the centre of the Carmelite reforms initiated by Teresa and John in the 16th century. Our pilgrimage through the city will included visiting a number of sites of spiritual significance, including the monasteries of La Encarnación and San José, where Teresa of Avila lived and ministered most of her life, as well as the cathedral and city walls.
Hosted and facilitated by Daniel Muñoz and Guy Wynter, at the St. John of the Cross monastery in Segovia, the programme includes: daily morning and night prayer, teaching input from Daniel Muñoz and the brothers in the community, guided pilgrimage-walks in the cities of Segovia and Avila, personal free time to reflect and relax in the monastery gardens, and a closing Eucharist.
Price: £750 (shared occupancy)
£825 (single occupancy)
The price, per person, includes:
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6 days / 5 nights full board (en-suite accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner, bar 1 lunch in Avila; wine provided with meals).
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Retreat sessions: teaching & input.
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All visits and entry fees to sites during your stay (see programme).
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Return complimentary transfers from Madrid to Segovia (in air conditioned bus) are included in the price. (See programme for more details).
The price, per person, does not include:
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Travel insurance.
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Flights.
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1 lunch in Avila.
Download programme here:
Retreat Leader
Daniel Muñoz Triviño is a lecturer in History of Christianity at the Faculty of Theology of Madrid (Fliedner Foundation). He has led retreats and courses on the Spanish mystics, and is the author of Transformed by the Beloved: a guide to spiritual formation with John of the Cross (BRF, 2014). Until October of 2018, he was chaplain and programme director at the Los Olivos Retreat Centre in the Sierra Nevada National Park, Granada (Spain). Alongside his husband, Guy, he is the co-founder and co-director of Los Olivos Retreats.
Venue
The Carmelite monastery that John of the Cross himself built and where he is buried is on the edge of the city of Segovia. We will be staying in the retreat centre within the monastery, surrounded by gorgeous countryside, not far from the river that became a source of spiritual inspiration for the mystic. The simplicity of the venue is enhanced by the spiritual atmosphere that envelops the building, its cloister and gardens. All accommodation is en-suite and we will enjoy dedicated group spaces (meeting room, chapel and refectory).
Find our more about the location and the venue here.