In front of the church of Pallerols

At dusk on June 25, a group of 21 people met in Pallerols: 10 boys from the Daumar club, from Barcelona; 6 from the Raier club, from Lleida; and 5 from the Maestranza club, in Malaga. To this initial expedition some more were added along the route, both from Lleida and Barcelona, ​​finally arriving in Andorra 29 people.

This is how one of the expeditioners explains it to us.

“Even though we didn’t know each other, within 24 hours we formed a unit. In fact, we all wanted to relive the escape adventure that Saint Josemaria experienced, along with other fugitives, in the fall of 1937 when, due to the religious persecution of the time, they crossed mountains and rivers, from Pallerols to reach Andorra, in search of freedom.

When we arrived in Pallerols, we were greeted by Ramon Camats who gave us a brief and clear explanation that introduced us to what the road to Andorra would be like. Maps, anecdotes, Our Lady of the Rosary, “the oven”, first jokes, high expectations. Eager to start

Explanations at the Rectory of Pallerols

Day 1. We spent the night at the Cortiuda refuge; quite an experience. The next day, in front of the Paller de Peramola, where the founder of Opus Dei spent the night, we finished tying our boots and started walking towards Torrent, the Casa del Corb, Barranc de la Ribalera, channel of Jaça and the mountain of Aubenç.

In front of the Paller de Peramola

Pine forests, dry streams, blackbird whispering, carpet of pine cones and thyme on limestone. Heat, we didn’t expect anything else, but bearable. First day that ended in the extensive fields of Aubenç. The pool of water prepared for incendiary emergencies cooled us off, and the improvised ladder of our Jungle George, Spaski, made soaking easier. Field mass with a stone altar with Old Testament airs. Some previous confessions, and a lot of devotion during the Eucharist, the central point of the day. Overnight: tent and bivouac, cold dinner. A game to the “wolf”, and to sleep.

Preparing the altar in Pla d’Aubenç

Mass at Pla d’Aubenç

About to sleep in Pla d’Aubenç

Day 2. We started downhill, but not everything was easy. The shadow accompanies us in the descent; but the climb, always from south to north, entailed pulling the cap back and a good dose of cream on the back of the neck and ears. The mid-morning nectarines and especially the Rosa’s spectacular lunch at Can Fenollet, was rehabilitative. I think it did honor to the memory of Saint Josemaria’s expedition, because just like then, everyone was delighted and more than satisfied.

We spent the end of the day at the Organyà campsite, where the first literary text in Catalan was published. where after enjoying the pool, we attended Mass. Championship dinner, and night without a sweater. Departure to the wolf Lots of trust, family treatment. “Malagueño” accent interspersed with peasant speech from the western lands. Examination of conscience, and to sleep.

Day 3. Ascent to the imposing Ares, with 1,000 meters of positive gradient. Lots of sun. Tired. No complaints, although very eager to do so. Two stops to read what Saint Josemaria had done at that stage. Lunch among pine trees and guitar chords. Jaime and Lajos encouraging the crowd. Laughter and dancing. There is no alcohol, but a lot of spirit of service. 1st grade boys most of them from high school, who walk, fight, get tired, pray… who live. When the time comes, just like those who accompanied Saint Josemaria, they will die happy and not old.

Going up to Ares

In the town of Ares

In the town of Ares

Mass in Noves de Segre. Very nice fresh. Village fountain that revives the spirit. End of the afternoon at the Organyà campsite where once again they showed off with dinner: fideuà. We went to bed early, we needed to recover.

On the 4th day, rain; torrential rain. Interspersed rain with hail. Drafts of expectation: are we putting ourselves in the mouth of the wolf? The bosses thought of excuses not to do that stage, but the pineapple among everyone was consistent and no one gave a damn. Raincoat and boots without goretex. We knew that Paco and Josep Maria were waiting for us at the top of the Collada de la Torre, so some good sausages. Great incentive.

In the Gulf of Aravell

That’s how it was. Shortly after lunch, the sun went about its business. Makeshift tents carrying soaked clothes. Wild volleyball and Campaign Mass. A group of parents from Barcelona gathered, just as a few days earlier another group from Lleida gathered. A magical dinner and a mythical night, the last one that some had at night, because the next day we were arriving in Andorra.

In Pla de la Caubella

In the Collada de la Torre

Day 5. We complied, as always, with the schedule that Toni, our manager in the distance, had prescribed for us: get up early, have a hearty breakfast, descent to the Civís river, climb La Cabra Morta, Mas d’Alins, and Borda del Gastó. Said and done.

Going down to the River of Civís

Arriving in Andorra

After almost 5 hours, we were at our end. Mass celebrating the feast of St. Josemaría and subsequent Gathering. Some of the families of the expeditioners and a good group of Andorrans devoted to Saint Josemaria, in total about 70 people, met there to celebrate.

The group in Andorra