Pilgrims, Mystics and Monks
A Pilgrimage to Medieval Christian sites in France
May 19 - June 3, 2003
You are invited to walk in the footsteps of some of those early monks and mystics of medieval France with Joan Currey, Jeff Gaines, John Griffin and Dottie Black. Together we will experience some of the sites held sacred by the faithful down through the centuries and learn about their daily lives and deepest thoughts.
Our contemplative pace will allow time for walking a labyrinth, meditating on a rose window, and celebrating with friends as well as for exploration and reflection which will further deepen the experience at each of these exquisite places of worship. These Cathedrals are more than glorious expressions of a past religious fervor, they are messages of inspiration in stone, sculpture and stained glass that are waiting to be discovered anew by each earnest pilgrim that journeys to them today.
A pilgrimage is more than just a trip to distant lands, it is a spiritual adventure. Because both of us believe that all of life is sacred, any or every aspect of this trip can be the key to opening us to receive the touch of the Spirit in new and awesome ways---the planning, the travel, the people we meet, the foreign language, the cathedrals, and the celebrations---they are all God's good gifts to us. So come, join this spiritual adventure and apprentice yourself in spirit to the Master Builder of these Cathedrals. You too will be building a cathedral, only yours will be a cathedral of your heart.
Dates and Cost:
This 15-day pilgrimage will take place from May 19 to June 3, 2003 and is limited to 16 people. The pilgrimage will begin in Paris on Tuesday, May 20, leaving from Hotel St. Jacques at 11:30 A.M.
Cost is $2,850 plus airfare. This includes comfortable double rooms with toilet and bath (a single supplement is an extra $600*), all breakfasts and dinners; presentations on the rise of monasticism as wellas the lives of certain mystics, history, religious art, and more; guided tours; certain museums; cultural events; and a concluding banquet. You will be expected to cover your own costs for lunches, snacks, souvenirs, tips, expenses during free time and transportation to and from airports. Dietary needs will be difficult to meet since the French diet depends heavily on cheese, breads, fish and fowl.
*If a roommate is not available, you will be asked to pay the single supplement.
Air Travel:
If you choose to arrive earlier or stay longer on your own, please let us know this when you send in your application and deposit so that we can make arrangements accordingly. Since you will be making your own flight arrangements, you will need to be in Paris at the Charles de Gaulle Airport by mid afternoon on Tuesday, May 20th, in order to make connections with the rest of the group. We suggest, if possible, arriving a day or so earlier to help with the adjustment of jet lag and the time change.
If you wish to use Frequent Flyer miles, you need to contact the airlines directly and the sooner you make your reservations, the more likely there will be favorable flights available.
Deposit and Payment Information:
A deposit of $500 is required to reserve your space. Since the group size is limited, we urge you to send in your deposit as soon as possible (preferably before December 30) with the balance of the payment due by March 15th, 2003. Send your completed application form along with your check made out to
Joan Currey
225 Cole Street
San Francisco, CA 94117
An itinerary plus other helpful information will be sent upon receipt of your application and deposit.
Cancellation Policy:
If you should have to cancel prior to 90 days before departure, an administrative charge of $50 per person will be applied against any refund. Within 61-90 days of departure, an additional cancellation charge of $100 per person will apply. Within 60 days of departure, we will base refunds upon monies recoverable subject to the rules and regulations of the hotels, land operators, etc. In most cases, monies are not recoverable and forfeiture will be 100% of payment. Refunds for airline tickets are subject to refund allowances under airline regulations. For your protection, Flight and Travel Insurance is strongly recommended. Insurance application forms will be sent to you upon receipt of your application and deposit.
If you have further questions, please call or write Joan Currey at the above address, phone her at . 415/386-9137 or email her at E-mail, jcurrey@ibm.net
This pilgrimage is under the auspices of the Program in Christian Spirituality at San Francisco Theological Seminary.
