This morning we visited Manresa and toured the cave where Saint Ignatius wrote the Spiritual Exercises. In one of the pictures I’ve posted, you can see that it faces Montserrat in the distance. Over time, a Church, a Jesuit Residence and a Center for Spirituality were built over the Cave. In the late 17th and early 18th century, an elaborate alabaster altar and other decorations were added to the cave.
The afternoon was spent hiking the many trails around the mountains or in quiet contemplation as we took in the beauty around us. We will let the photos speak for themselves. It is simply breathtaking.
Prayer of Montserrat:
O God, giver of every good, You have chosen this mountain as a center of special devotion to the Mother of Your only-begotten Son; grant us the aid of the Virgin Mary, so that we may safely reach that mountain which is Christ. Amen.
At 5 p.m. we celebrated Mass in the Niche Chapel at the Basilica at Montserrat after viewing the Black Madonna. Fr. Paul Harman, S.J., our vice president for mission at Holy Cross, was the homilist. Then we had the opportunity to hear the Benedictine Monks and the Boys Choir for Vespers.
