For many it was the first time they had stepped on snow

A group of 14 participants from Miami, Florida, hiked from Pallerols to Andorra at the end of November, taking advantage of their Thanksgiving break. The group from Tekesta Study Center completed the five-day trek, which coincided in part with the same dates that Saint Josemaría and his companions followed this route in November-December 1937. The journey began with their arrival in Spain on Saturday, November 22, the day of the Trobada de la Rosa. In Barcelona, they visited the Sagrada Familia Temple and prayed in the crypt of Venerable Montse Grases.

Upon arriving in Pallerols they visited the Rectory and the Church, and afterwards went up to the Cabin of Saint Raphael

The first sunset in Pallerols

 

At the Saint Raphael Cabin

 

Coming down from the Saint Raphael Cabin, in the background on the right you can see Pallerols

 

Mass in the church of Pallerols

 

The next day they made the journey from Peramola to the Masies de Nargó, passing through Ribalera and the climb to Aubenç.

Going up towards Ribalera and Aubenç

 

At the top of Aubenç

The second day of the hike ended with an excellent meal at Can Fenollet, where one of the young participants commented that “it had been a long time since I had eaten so much or so well,” and that “I had never seen a wine pitcher like that before.”

In Fenollet

For Diego, one of the students, “the hikes were more difficult than I expected, and sometimes I wanted to take a long break.” But amidst singing, music, prayers, and pleasant conversations, the participants enjoyed sunny weather that made the low temperatures of several of those days more bearable. Perhaps because they came from Florida—where there are no mountains—the hikers were astonished by the breathtaking views and landscapes they enjoyed during their stay and trek.

Upon arriving in Andorra, several admitted that it was the first time in their lives that they had enjoyed the snow that covered the descent towards Fontaneda and Sant Julià de Lòria.

Arriving at the town of Ares

 

The town of Ares

 

Going down towards Baridà

 

The House of Baridà

 

Following the Segre River Valley

 

Following the Segre River Valley

 

Crossing the Aravell River

 

Crossing the Aravell River

 

Once in the Principality, they attended Holy Mass in Sant Julià de Lòria before returning to their base camp in Pallerols.

At the church of Sant Julià de Lòria, with the rector Fr. Pepe Chisvert

 

At the church of Sant Julià de Lòria, with the statue of Saint Josemaría

Before catching their flight back to Miami, the group still had time to stop in Montserrat. There they celebrated Holy Mass and were able to give thanks for an unforgettable few days.

In the Monastery of Montserrat

 

In front of the image of Our Lady of Montserrat

The physical challenge, the intense atmosphere of enthusiasm, friendship, and service, the generous collaboration of volunteers like Jordi, Ramón, and Octavio, and the profound spiritual experience of following in the footsteps of a saint along ancient mountain paths made this group enjoy an experience they will hardly forget.

Ascending the Jaça Ravine (or Gully), at Aubenç

 The snow of Fontaneda