Pilgrimage is a religious journey to visit a holy site or holy person, and such journeys are found in many religious traditions. In Christianity, and in the Jesuit tradition particularly, pilgrimage has long had a central place at times when people are passing through major growth stages and seek to encounter God and to know themselves in a more profound way.聽
17 day pilgrimage in Spain (or if Spain is not possible, alternate sites) beginning May 27, 2027
St. Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits, went on pilgrimage to the shrine of Montserrat when he had a major conversion experience in his life. All Jesuits since St. Ignatius themselves make pilgrimages as part of their formation. Students at Jesuit schools have made pilgrimages for nearly 500 years. This course continues that long tradition, by offering an experiential learning opportunity in which students can study the theology, philosophy, literature, and history of pilgrimage in the Christian tradition, particularly the Camino de Santiago in Spain, and then make a pilgrimage together as a class.
We know that taking a walk can clear our heads, help shake a headache, prompt the emergence of previously unexpected solutions, or set a rhythm for stimulating conversation. Walking sometimes goes together with thinking in a way that opens the mind while exercising the body. The western intellectual tradition has a long history of reflecting while walking and also reflecting upon walking, but some walks offer greater spiritual significance than others.聽
This course will provide some of the theological, philosophical, literary, and historical resources needed to render an extended walk on the Camino de Santiago鈥攐ne of the great pilgrimage routes of the Christian world鈥攁 time of reflection and discernment that we undertake as both as individuals and as a class community.
An opportunity to be alone with oneself, so as to ponder one鈥檚 condition and one鈥檚 calling.
A way of connecting with and reflecting upon the non-human world.
A place to encounter other pilgrims willing to slow down and strive for meaningful conversations.
A time to be deeply receptive to the experience of transcendence and our relationship to God.
The course is structured in several parts, all of which are required for participating students:
Because of the unique design and intention of this course, each of the above components is required for course credit and for building community and trust among the group.聽Additionally, this course requires participants to hike for approximately 15-18 miles each day for 14 consecutive days in rugged outdoor conditions.
The group will be limited to 10 undergraduates,聽(freshmen, sophomores and juniors only), the faculty instructor, a graduate student assistant and a chaplain (when possible, a Jesuit). Students will be approved for enrollment based on academic interests, grades, and previous relevant experience.聽
Admission to this course is by聽application, interview and faculty approval only. Please review the Pilgrimage frequently asked questions below for more information.
Admission to this course will be by interview and faculty approval.聽To be considered for the course, you will need to complete an application by聽October 3 by 5:00 p.m. Students will be notified via email if they are selected to move on to the interview portion of the selection process. Interviews will be conducted in late聽October and early November. Students will be notified by聽November 11 in time for Spring registration.
PHIL449501 / ENGL449601: Self-knowledge and Discernment: The Experience of Pilgrimage is a 3-credit course taught by Professor Suzanne Matson. It counts as either an English or a Philosophy elective. It does NOT count as an English or Philosophy core course.
This course will meet seven or eight times during the Spring聽2027 semester at a time to be arranged. The retreat will be in mid-March.
The trip will occur immediately following the end of Spring semester. The pilgrimage to Spain is currently scheduled for聽May 27 鈥� June 11/12, 2027. Students should arrive in Leon no later than聽May 27. We encourage students to explore Europe and take advantage of what it has to offer after the conclusion of the program. (Note: Students may not separate from the group until the program ends on聽June 12.)
If you are admitted, you will register for the course during spring registration from聽November 12-17, 2026. Please note that you can only register for the course with an override code from聽Professor Donnelly.
While there is no requirement or expectation that students identify as being religious and/or spiritual to participate in the course, we expect each student to approach this course with a sense of openness and a willingness to explore, learn, and be fully present in the experience. Catholic Mass will be celebrated regularly on the spring retreat and during the pilgrimage, with students from all backgrounds welcome to attend.
In addition to requirements that will be due during the course, you will be required to submit a final academic paper after the pilgrimage journey.聽Your final grade for the course will be posted by聽August 2027. This grade will count retroactively toward your聽Spring 2027 course load.
No. This course does not require a specific background in Theology or Philosophy. This course also does not fulfill Core requirements for Philosophy or Theology.
Yes.聽The non-refundable course fee will be $1,500 which includes the two-night overnight retreat in聽March 2027, and then on the pilgrimage itself in May-June 2027 includes activities, room and board, two program meals, and international health insurance while in Spain.聽聽
In addition to the course fee, students will be responsible themselves for flight costs to and from the starting point of the pilgrimage, for daily meals during the pilgrimage, for travel arrangements, and for the necessary supplies, including appropriate hiking attire, backpack, shoes, toiletries, water, etc.
Students can either arrange their travel plans on their own or in coordination with the group/cohort.
You will be responsible for necessary supplies including appropriate hiking attire, backpack, walking shoes, toiletries, etc.
No. You do not need to speak Spanish to participate in this program.
This聽is a fully academic course. There is substantial reading, written assignments and other curricular activities. The retreat in聽March 2027 is also required for all students. The final paper will be due on a date in the summer set by the instructor, after which the final grades for the course will be recorded. A final syllabus will be supplied to all students upon admission and acceptance. This course is taught by a different faculty member each year, so it is likely that there will be variations in thematic emphases and approaches. Syllabi from previous courses can be found below.聽
If you have additional questions, please contact Professor Jason Donnelly at聽donneljq@bc.edu.
For a walk to be a pilgrimage it should be a journey to a location of spiritual significance, but it must also be undertaken with an intentional openness to a transforming experience. We are the inheritors of thousands of years of historical examples of pilgrimage, in which walking became the model for living in response to God鈥檚 call.
Philosophy Department
Stokes Hall North
617-552-4570
