In the Canòlich Gathering

Last Saturday, May 30, representatives of the Association of Friends of the Pallerols Path from Rialb to Andorra went to the Traditional Canòlich Gathering, which is held every year on the last Saturday of May.

On behalf of the Association, we were attended by: Jordi Pérez, Jordi Bosc and Jordi Piferrer.

The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by the rector of Sant Julià de Lòria, Fr. Pepe Chisvert, concelebrating with the clergy of the Valls d’Andorra.

The Canòlich festival served as a farewell for Fr. Pepe Chisvert, as he leaves the Laurediana Parish and becomes Rector of the Parish of Sant Ot and the Cathedral of La Seu d’Urgell, according to the new diocesan appointments determined by the Bishop of Urgell, Mons. Josep Lluís Serrano.

At the same time, he will be part -along with the Bishop- of the Episcopal Council, together with the new Vicar General, Fr. Antoni Elvira, Fr. Jaume Mayoral and Fr. Alfons Velàsquez, with the new Secretary General and Chancellor of the Curia being Ms. Anna Maria Villas.

You can read more about the news at:

https://bisbaturgell.org/ca/?s=Aplec+de+Can%C3%B2lich+2026

Fr. Pepe has been rector of Sant Julià de Lòria for 16 years. Our Association of Friends of the Path of Pallerols de Rialb to Andorra has been in existence for 23 years, so we have coincided with him in carrying out activities together during these 16 years. A phrase that sums up his attitude is: “Yes to everything”. He has always been willing to collaborate in any activity for the good of the Parish and the country.

Below is a brief photographic summary of the many activities that we have organized together.

We should highlight his participation in the visit -in 2012- of the prelate of Opus Dei, Mons. Javier Echevarría, to Andorra, on the occasion of the blessing of the statue of Saint Josemaría in the church of Sant Julià de Lòria.

Mn. Pepe receiving the prelate of Opus Dei in Sant Julià de Lòria

 

At the entrance to the Rectory of Sant Julià de Lòria

 

Inside the rectory of Sant Julià de Lòria

 

In the church of Sant Julià de Lòria

 

At the Casa de la Vall d’Andorra la Vella

 

At the Andorra la Vella Convention Center

 

At the Andorra la Vella Convention Center

 

We should also highlight his enthusiastic participation in the days of the Aplec de Saint Josemaría that we hold annually in Prats del Gastó (Fontaneda).

 

At the Aplec de sant Josemaria

 

At the Aplec de sant Josemaria

 

At the Aplec de sant Josemaria

 

And also the attention to the many expeditions of young people who from all over the world finish their journey of the Camí d’Andorra in the church of Sant Julià de Lòria.

 

With a group of young people from Miami (USA), attending their arrival at the church of Sant Julià de Lòria

 

From this platform we thank him very sincerely for all his dedication to the country of Andorra, to the town of Sant Julià de Lòria and to all those who, coming from abroad, have found the warmth and unconditional generosity that have made it so pleasant to spend a few days of rest in the welcoming land that is Andorra.

Thank you, Fr. Pepe!

La entrada Canòlich Festival 2026 se publicó primero en Associació d'amics del camí de Pallerols de Rialb a Andorra.

Coming down from the Cabana de Sant Rafael. In the background, the church and rectory of Pallerols

From Barcelona, ​​we wanted to make a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Pallerols to give thanks for this year. Our group consisted of three seminarians, a newly ordained deacon, and two priests. We arrived Sunday afternoon, lit a fire, and had a welcome dinner. Not everyone had been to Pallerols before, so we explained a bit of its history, including how Saint Josemaría had been there, what he experienced, and how he sought to do God’s will at all times, finding that rose that showed him the way to cross the border into Andorra.

At the Saint Raphael Cabin

The next day, we hiked to the Saint Raphael Cabin, praying the rosary both on the way there and back, remembering the steps Saint Josemaría and so many others took in the night, fleeing the religious persecution. After the hike, we celebrated Mass. Then we prepared a mountain rice dish, which we enjoyed while chatting peacefully on the balcony overlooking the entire Rialb region. Before returning to Barcelona, ​​we prayed the third part of the rosary in church.

In the forests of Pallerols. In the background, the Rialb reservoir

We want to sincerely thank the association for all their work, which makes it possible for the facilities to be so well maintained and allows us to go there to rest, visit the Virgin Mary, and enjoy nature. It is a spectacular place for small but deeply spiritual gatherings.

The image of the Virgin Mary of the Roser of Pallerols

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Procession to the Sanctuary. In the background, the snow-covered Aragonese Pyrenees

On Saturday, May 16, more than 100 devotees from Pallerols went on a pilgrimage to Torreciudad carrying an image of the Virgin of the Rosary of Pallerols, which we left in a prominent place within the Sanctuary.

The two images of the Virgin – the one from Torreciudad and the one from Pallerols – had a great influence on the life of Saint Josemaría Escrivá.

a) Virgin of Torreciudad: One day in 1904, when Saint Josemaría was two years old, the doctors assured that the child would not survive that night, due to a severe infection. The Virgin of Torreciudad cured him and in gratitude Saint Josemaría had the current sanctuary built next to the old hermitage.

b) Our Lady of the Rosary of Pallerols: In 1937, in the midst of the Spanish Civil War, Saint Josemaría obtained a favor from Our Lady of the Rosary of Pallerols. When he had strong doubts about what God’s will was, after a night of much suffering and intense prayer, he found a golden wooden rose on the floor of the church of Pallerols, which for him meant that he was doing well to continue his journey to Andorra, thus discovering —through the Virgin Mary— what God’s will was, saving himself from the strong religious persecution of the time.

Remembering these two events, last Saturday, May 16, we brought a copy of the image of Our Lady of Pallerols to Torreciudad.

We followed the following schedule:

11:00 a.m. | Upon arriving in Torreciudad, we were received by the rector, Monsignor Àngel Lasheras, and then we watched a video about Torreciudad.

11.30am | We made a Procession with the Image of the Virgin of Pallerols to the Main Altar of the Sanctuary, singing the joys of the Virgin of the Rosary of Pallerols.

Departure of the Procession towards the Sanctuary

Procession to the Sanctuary

Entrance to the Sanctuary

The Virgin Mary of Pallerols located in the presbytery of the Sanctuary

1.15pm | Mass at the Sanctuary, which was celebrated by Monsignor Xavier Pont de Lleida. After the Mass, all those present took a photo with the image of the Virgin

The whole group after the Mass

2.30pm | Lunch on the Torreciudad esplanade.

Lunch on the Torreciudad esplanade

Lunch on the Torreciudad esplanade

Lunch on the Torreciudad esplanade

5.00pm | Prayer of the Rosary on the esplanade with the images of the Virgin of Torreciudad and Pallerols. And at the end of the rosary, we entered the Sanctuary where we made the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and final Blessing.

Rosary prayer on the esplanade of Torreciudad

Rosary prayer on the esplanade of Torreciudad

Rosary prayer on the esplanade of Torreciudad

Rosary prayer on the esplanade of Torreciudad

Rosary prayer on the esplanade of Torreciudad

Rosary prayer on the esplanade of Torreciudad

Rosary prayer on the esplanade of Torreciudad

Rosary prayer on the esplanade of Torreciudad

Rosary prayer on the esplanade of Torreciudad

Rosary prayer on the esplanade of Torreciudad

A day of intense religious experience, accompanied by the Virgin, who during the month of May the Church dedicates to honoring her especially.

You can see more information on the Torreciudad website.

La entrada Pilgrimage of the Virgin of Pallerols to Torreciudad, 16.05.2026 se publicó primero en Associació d'amics del camí de Pallerols de Rialb a Andorra.

Going to Casa del Corb

This weekend we set out on something special: to walk part of the route taken by many people during the Spanish Civil War to flee to France. Specifically, we wanted to follow in the footsteps of saint Josemaría Escrivà, who crossed the Pyrenees to reach Andorra and, from there, continue his mission.

However, what seemed like a historical route became a true experience of overcoming challenges, sharing life, and discovery.

From the very beginning, the path tested us. We crossed areas covered by veritable “curtains” of threads teeming with worms, we pressed on through exhaustion… and then came a particularly demanding moment: we ran out of water. Far from creating tension, it was an opportunity to experience something valuable: sharing what we had, rationing, taking care of one another. Friendship became tangible in these small gestures.

In view of the mountain of Sant Honorat

The signs of the Andorra Trail

Towards the Ribalera

Towards the Ribalera

Finally, we reached the Ribalera ravine, a place steeped in meaning. There we stopped to contemplate the place where saint Josemaría celebrated Mass on his way to Andorra. It was a moment of silence, of connection with history, and of inner reflection.

We have arrived at the Barranc de la Ribalera

On the way back, already out of water, almost as an unexpected reward, we ended up arriving at a natural spring in Peramola, where we were able to regain our strength.

Another of the weekend’s great adventures was managing to attend Mass. After driving for miles in search of one without success, we shared our experience with Father Jordi. Upon hearing us, he generously offered to celebrate it and said something that deeply touched us: “If you are here, it is because you value the Mass.” That gesture, along with his words, reminded us of what is essential.

Furthermore, he left us with a message when we went to thank him for that gesture, which continues to resonate within us: “You are the future; seek the true treasure. The most important work we can do is to love, above all, seek LOVE in capital letters.”

The weekend also offered moments of joy: games, laughter, shared exhaustion… and unexpected experiences, such as attending the Motocross World Championship in Oliana, which added a surprising contrast to the experience.

A few moments of rest

A few moments of rest

We also had the privilege of listening to Ramon, who explained the events of 1937 in detail and helped us better understand the history we were reliving.

The grand finale was a sung Mass, celebrated with special care, in Pallerols, a place deeply connected to this historical episode.

This trip has been much more than an excursion. It has been a school of resilience, a lesson in friendship lived out in concrete ways, and an experience where faith has taken shape amidst effort and shared life.

An experience that leaves a lasting impression.

La entrada Following in the Footsteps of saint Josemaría Escrivà in the Pyrenees: An Experience Beyond the Path se publicó primero en Associació d'amics del camí de Pallerols de Rialb a Andorra.

Commented reading in the forests of Pallerols

From April 23 to 26, 2026, a group of 12 people took a Retreat Course in Pallerols de Rialb. The retreat course was preached by Fr. Joaquim González Llanos, who came from Madrid, and one day Fr. Javier Palos, from Barcelona, ​​also preached.

People from Andorra and Madrid attended, as well as from the provinces of Barcelona, ​​Tarragona and Lleida.

In an environment of silence in the middle of the forests of Rialb, all attendees were able to hear the voice of God within them.

As J. Ratzinger (Benedict XVI) writes in the book “El Dios de Jesucristo”, Sígueme, Salamanca 1979, p.21, “If you do not get out of the daily hustle and bustle, if you do not face the force of solitude, you cannot perceive God. The noisy, stunned, scattered heart cannot find God.”

For 4 days, a few brave people decided to “face the force of solitude” by going to Pallerols; we were able to listen to God and we came face to face with the truth of our lives; in solitude and silence we discovered the gifts that God grants us as well as the weaknesses that need to be healed; we discovered the motivations that move our actions, the feelings that live in us, the thoughts that usually condition us without us even realizing it.

The daily activities of the retreat course were as follows: two meditations in the morning and two in the afternoon -each half an hour long- preached by the priest in the church of Pallerols; the celebration of Mass; two talks given by one of us, in the upper room of the rectory; praying the rosary, which we did while walking around the church; praying the Via Crucis; Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament; reading a spiritual book, watching a spirituality video, etc.

All in all, a few days lived intensely to discover what God wants from us.

An absolutely necessary experience in today’s times, and that is why we encourage many people to experience it.

The photos and video attached show a little of what we have experienced during these 3 days.

Commented reading in the forests of Pallerols

Commented reading in the forests of Pallerols

Different moments of the retreat course, walking through the forests of Pallerols

Different moments of the retreat course, walking through the forests of Pallerols

Different moments of the retreat course, walking through the forests of Pallerols

Different moments of the retreat course, walking through the forests of Pallerols

Different moments of the retreat course, walking through the forests of Pallerols

Different moments of the retreat course, walking through the forests of Pallerols

During the mass in the church of Pallerols

The Virgin of the Rosary of Pallerols

The farewell lunch at the Fonda la Masia, in Peramola

La entrada Retreat course in Pallerols de Rialb, April 23-26, 2026 se publicó primero en Associació d'amics del camí de Pallerols de Rialb a Andorra.

Volunteers April 2026

On Saturday, April 12, 2026, a group of 16 volunteers met in Pallerols to carry out maintenance work on the road that goes from Pallerols to the Saint Raphael Cabin and also fixed some damage that the wild boars had done to the Cabin itself.

Volunteers at work

4 work teams were formed: A clearing team, all of them from Lleida, (Emilio with his son, Josep Maria, Toti and Lluís); another painting team (Jordi, Octavi, Roberto and Daniel); a third team to rebuild the Cabana de Sant Rafel (Paco, William and Mn. Xavier); and a fourth assistance and stewardship team (Octavio, Enrique, Ramon and Jordi).

Volunteer Team No. 1

Volunteer Team No. 2

Volunteer Team No. 3

The most difficult task was to repair the damage caused by wild boars at the Cabana de Sant Rafael.

Volunteers at the Saint Raphael Cabin

Volunteers at the Saint Raphael Cabin

Volunteers at the Saint Raphael Cabin

Volunteers at the Saint Raphael Cabin

After 5 hours of intense work, we all met in Pallerols and had a nice aperitif, sausages and grilled ribs.

 

All gathered for lunch next to the Rectory of Pallerols

 

We finished with the mass celebrated by Monsignor Xavier Pont in the church of Pallerols.

All in all, a day very well spent, with the joy of having done some very productive work to prepare the paths and places where many people will come to visit during these spring and summer months.

So far, in recent months, 3 groups of boys from the United States of America, some girls from Mexico, and others from Pamplona, ​​Sant Cugat, Andorra and Barcelona have already passed through Pallerols.

La entrada Volunteers in Pallerols, 12.04.2026 se publicó primero en Associació d'amics del camí de Pallerols de Rialb a Andorra.

The Los Angeles group

From March 20 to 23, 2026, a group of 7 boys from Los Angeles (USA) walked the first three stages of the Camino d’Andorra. Specifically, they did:

Day 20, At 8 pm they arrived at Barcelona airport from the United States of America and the first thing they did was rent a van at the airport. They then set off for Pallerols where they arrived after 12 midnight. Ramon Camats was waiting there to welcome them and accommodate them in the Rectory.

Day 21, At 11 am they set off on foot from Peramola to La Ribalera, accompanied by Ricardo Gómez Val. They arrived at the Barranc de la Ribalera around 2 pm. They celebrated mass and then went down to Juncàs and La Penella where Ramon was waiting for them with a car to take them to Pallerols.

In the background, the mountain of Aubenç

Crossing the Torrent de les Caubes

Crossing the Torrent de les Caubes

At the house of Corb

In the background, Sant Honorat

On the right, Ricardo Gómez Val who accompanied them on this section

In la Ribalera

Mass in la Ribalera

On the 22nd, Ramon accompanied the group to Pont del Codó and from there they walked up to Fenollet where they arrived around one in the afternoon. After lunch, they climbed the Santa Fe mountain and went down to Vall de Cabó, where Octavio Rico picked them up.

(To know the 3 tours of these days go to:

https://www.pallerols-andorra.org/en/the-total-walk/)

On the 23rd, Octavio accompanied them by car to Vall de Cabó, near Oliva’s house, and from there they walked up to the town of Ares and after passing through Baridà they arrived at Noves de Segre, where Octavio picked them up again.

 

At the beginning of the climb to the village of Ares

 

At the Coll d’Ares

 

At la Borda de Baridà

 

Going down to Noves de Segre

 

A break on the road to Noves

 

Arriving in Noves de Segre

 

That same afternoon they went to Torreciudad and then to Lourdes (France) from where they returned to Barcelona to fly to Los Angeles.

In total they walked about 55 km of the Camino d’Andorra -from Peramola to Noves de Segre- with a positive accumulated elevation gain of about 2,800 meters.

A few magnificent days in contact with nature, hoping to return next year to finish the entire Camino d’Andorra, from Noves de Segre to Sant Julià de Lòria (Andorra).

La entrada From Los Angeles (USA) to Pallerols (25.03.2026) se publicó primero en Associació d'amics del camí de Pallerols de Rialb a Andorra.

The group from Lleida at the Saint Raphael Cabin

On Saturday, March 14, some boys from the Raier Youth Club, from Lleida, went to the Peramola and Pallerols de Rialb area to do clearing work on stage 1 of the Andorra Trail. This stage starts at the Bridge of Peramola, at the exit of Oliana, and reaches Pallerols passing through Peramola.

A map of Stage 1 of the Andorra Trail

On time, at 10 in the morning, we met at the Oliana gas station. The weather forecast announced a rainy day but despite this they were not afraid to go out into the mountains to do the planned work. There were more people registered but, given the bad weather announcements, in the end there were only 6 of us, the bravest!

The boys from Lleida were: Toti Bosch, César Roure, Miquel Coma, Gerard López and Ricard Mitjana. They were also accompanied by Jordi Piferrer, who, with an all-terrain vehicle, carried out supply tasks.

We worked mainly on the old Sant Marc road, which goes from Peramola to Pallerols.

Working along the route of stage 1

Working along the route of stage 1

Working along the route of stage 1

Working along the route of stage 1

Working along the route of stage 1

Working along the route of stage 1

Working along the route of stage 1

Working along the route of stage 1

Around 2 pm we arrived at the Saint Raphael Cabin, where we had lunch with what everyone had brought.

At the Saint Raphael Cabin

After lunch we continued the work passing through the Source of Comalpou and arriving in Pallerols around 4 pm.

Arriving at Pallerols

Arriving at Pallerols

There we greeted some families (the Casamitjana family) who met in Pallerols to celebrate a reunion after 35 years of not seeing each other, as they live in very distant places.

In front of the church of Pallerols, the 6 Casamitjana brothers who had not seen each other for 35 years. They came with their respective families to celebrate this reunion

A day very well spent and with the desire to repeat these volunteer activities.

Those who want to become Volunteers, register here. Every second Saturday of the month we do a section of the Andorra Trail, a route that goes from Oliana to Andorra and is 100 km long.

La entrada Volunteers from Lleida on the Andorra Trail (14.03.2026) se publicó primero en Associació d'amics del camí de Pallerols de Rialb a Andorra.

In front of the image of the Virgin of the Rosary in Pallerols

We are a group from The Heights School, in the United States: 17 students from first and second grade, along with teachers Anthony Hadford and Bill Dardis, and Fr. Stephen Dardis from the Archdiocese of New Orleans, Louisiana.

We are on a trip called “Following in the Footsteps of St. Josemaría,” a week-long journey from Barcelona to Pallerols, then on to Torreciudad, Zaragoza, and Madrid.

Our time in Pallerols was incredible: it was very moving to walk where a saint we feel very close to walked. Even more so, to celebrate Mass in the place where he received such a decisive sign to continue his flight across the Pyrenees.

Before the trip, the students read Pedro Casciaro’s short story “Dream and Your Dreams Will Fall,” so they were already familiar with many details of the story; but Ramón, our guide, brought the events to life by adding further details.

This has been a very moving experience for all of us. We hope to make it an annual tradition at the school.

Celebration of the Eucharist in the church of Pallerols

In front of the main altar of the church of Pallerols

Having lunch at the Fonda la Masia, in Peramola

La entrada From Maryland (USA) to Pallerols (March 1st, 2026) se publicó primero en Associació d'amics del camí de Pallerols de Rialb a Andorra.

On September 3, 2015, the prelate of Opus Dei, Mons. Javier Echevarría, blessed a copy of the image of the Virgin of Pallerols, so that we could take it to Torreciudad. After more than 10 years, we will finally take it on pilgrimage to Torreciudad next Saturday, May 16, 2026.

On Saturday, May 16, we will go on a pilgrimage to Torreciudad, with the Virgin of the Rosary of Pallerols and we will leave a copy in a prominent place.

 Both images of the Virgin Mary, from Torreciudad and Pallerols, had a great influence on the life of St. Josemaría Escrivá.

a) Our Lady of Torreciudad: One day in 1904, when St. Josemaría was two years old, doctors assured that the child would not survive the night due to a severe infection. His mother asked the Virgin of Torreciudad to cure him. Following this request, that same night the child was cured instantly and without medical explanation. Days later, his mother took him to the hermitage of Torreciudad in thanksgiving for his healing. In gratitude, years later, St. Josemaría had the current shrine built next to the old hermitage.

b) Our Lady of the Rosary of Pallerols: In 1937, in the midst of the Spanish Civil War, St. Josemaría obtained a favor from the Virgin of the Rosary of Pallerols. When he had strong doubts about what God’s will was, after a night of deep suffering and intense prayer, he found a gilded wooden rose on the floor of the Pallerols church, consistent with what he had been asking for. This discovery comforted him and gave him peace and security to continue his journey to Andorra, discovering —through the Virgin Mary— what God’s will was, thus saving himself from the severe religious persecution of the time.

Recalling these two events, we will bring the image of the image of the Virgin of Pallerols to Torreciudad, hoping that in some time, the Virgin of Torreciudad may also come to Pallerols.

Schedule:

10.55h | Arrival in Torreciudad and Welcome at the Tourist Office

11.00h | Introductory Video at the Tourist Office (15min)

11.20h | Procession with the Image of the Virgin of Pallerols to the Main Altar of the Shrine

13.15h | Mass in the Shrine. During the celebration of the Eucharist, the image will be placed on a table next to the steps of the Presbytery

14.00h | Video Mapping: “The Altarpiece Tells You” (6min)

17.00h | Rosary on the esplanade with the images of the Virgin Mary of Torreciudad and Pallerols; and blessing of the Sanctuary.

Those who wish may stay for lunch at the catering service that will be set up on the esplanade of Torreciudad: appetizer, paella, drinks, and desserts; prior reservation and payment are required: Bizum: (+34) 615.923.703.

Price:
• 15€ adults
• 10€ children (up to 12 years old included)

To organize the day well, we need you to complete the following registration form, either for the event only or also for the catering reservation, which must be made before the 8th.

LINK TO REGISTRATION AND CATERING FORM

Notes:

-Those who wish to have the catering meal must present proof of payment at the location where the meal will be served (the arcades, next to the Glorious Mysteries) and will be entitled to a place at the dining table.

-Tickets can be collected in advance at the pilgrim information desk, located next to the entrance of the Torreciudad Tourist Office.

-Payments can be made via Bizum until May 8th -(+34) 615 923 703-, or in cash (until May 16th, after prior reservation on the registration form, before May 8th).

La entrada Pilgrimage of the Virgin of Pallerols in Torreciudad 16.05.2026 se publicó primero en Associació d'amics del camí de Pallerols de Rialb a Andorra.