The University of Navarra’s summer program for seminarians offers a distinctive complement to their formation towards the priesthood.
The experience of pilgrimage to Santiago and engagement with the lives and teachings of prominent Spanish saints provide them with an opportunity for spiritual renewal. This is further enhanced by an intensive language course aimed at improving their oral and written communication skills for a successful pastoral work with Spanish-speaking communities.
The Camino Program of the School of Theology at the University of Navarra is designed as an ideal extension to seminary formation.
Specially tailored for diocesan seminarians, the program integrates three elements of special interest for their future priestly life and ministry:
Pilgrimage to Santiago
The spiritual experience of participating in the 1200-year history of pilgrimage to Santiago.
Footprints of the Spanish Saints
A deepening in the theology and teachings of the great Spanish saints.
Language Course
An intensive Spanish course for full immersion or advancing to the next level.
Walking the Camino de Santiago will lead them to a unique spiritual experience of pilgrimage. By visiting the landmarks of the Catholic tradition in Spain, they will find themselves face-to-face with the inspiring lives and teachings of saints like St. Theresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross or St. Josemaria, among others.
With the Intensive Spanish Language Course, seminarians will enhance their oral and writing communication skills, making a difference in their future apostolate and pastoral work with multicultural communities.
Audience
The Camino Program is specifically designed for seminarians from U.S. dioceses, offering a unique opportunity for growth, formation, and intentional fraternal life.
The spiritual experience of pilgrimage with the Camino de Santiago and the prayerful encounter with the Spanish saints who have nurtured the Catholic Church serve as sources of inspiration for seminarians, enriching their spiritual lives and contributing to their theological and spiritual formation for the priesthood.
Participants seek to learn or improve their Spanish language skills to better qualify them for pastoral work with multicultural communities.
Program
The following program is subject to changes based on the needs of the course and other possible conditions.
June 28, 2025
Saturday
USA
Depart for Pamplona.
June 29, 2025
Sunday
PAMPLONA
Arrive to Pamplona.
June 30, 2025
Monday
UNIVERSITY OF NAVARRA
1st Week of Intensive Spanish Language Course.
July 5-July 14, 2025
Saturday-Monday
CAMINO DE SANTIAGO
Walk 7 stages of the Camino de Santiago. The last 100 miles of the Camino Francés to Santiago de Compostela.
July 15, 2025
Tuesday
UNIVERSITY OF NAVARRA
2nd Week of Intensive Spanish Language Course.
July 18-July 20, 2025
Friday-Sunday
LOURDES-TORRECIUDAD-EL PILAR
Pilgrimage to the Shrines of Lourdes (France) and Torreciudad (Huesca), and the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar in Zaragoza.
July 21, 2025
Monday
UNIVERSITY OF NAVARRA
3rd Week of Intensive Spanish Language Course.
July 25-July 28, 2025
Friday-Monday
SALAMANCA-ÁVILA-TOLEDO
Visit to the historical cities and footprints of St. Theresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross.
July 29, 2025
Tuesday
MADRID-USA
Return to USA.
Activities
Camino de Santiago
Participants will walk along the Camino Francés, making their way through emblematic pilgrim villages, while praying together in monasteries, and churches that have welcomed pilgrims for over a millennium. Each seminarian will receive the Compostela certificate from the Santiago Cathedral Chapter.
Intensive Spanish Language Program at the University of Navarra
An intensive three-week Spanish course by ILCE at the University of Navarra, featuring four daily classes (Mon-Fri) matched to participants' proficiency levels, determined by a pre-test. With small groups (5–10 students), it offers personalized learning and an official certificate for credits.
Weekly co-curricular activities
Cultural and spiritual visits to distinctive places: Lourdes, Torreciudad, Zaragoza, the birthplaces of St. Ignatius and St. Francis Xavier, and historic cities like Ávila or Segovia. Lectures from University of Navarra professors will highlight the sites’ historical, cultural, and spiritual significance.
Housing and fees
Housing and full board:
The program provides lodging and meals at the International Seminary Bidasoa, affiliated to the School of Theology of the University of Navarra. Participants will benefit from an intentional fraternal community life.
Tuition & Fees:
The fee for the program is €5,600. It includes tuition, transportation in Europe, single occupancy room and board, academic and honorarium fees, basic travel health insurance (see conditions of the reimbursement policy here) and entry fees to museums and historical sites.
The following are not included: airfare to/from Madrid, personal expenses, and personal/optional activities outside of the program.
Payment method:
Payment will be made directly after completing the registration form on the online application web page.
Application
Application deadline:
Applications for the program must be received on Thursday, March 20, 2025.
How to apply:
The application process includes:
1. Fill in the application form.
2. Upon receipt of the application form, our Program Coordinator will contact the applicant via email (borjamfm@unav.es) to request the necessary documents:
-
A current color photograph of yourself (passport quality)
-
A copy of your passport
-
Signature of approval and letter of recommendation from your vocation director (In case of younger priests: Letter of Suitability and Signature of approval and letter of recommendation from your Bishop or Vicar for Clergy)
-
Letter of Suitability
3. The Program Coordinator will confirm the acceptance into the Camino Program.
Contact
Program Directors
Rev. Miguel Brugarolas
Associate Professor of Systematic Theology
mbrugarolas@unav.es
Rev. Alejandro Vázquez-Dodero
Assistant Dean for Advancement
avazquezdod@unav.es
Program Coordinator
Mr. Borja Mora-Figueroa
Director of Development, School of Theologyborjamfm@unav.es
School of Theology
University of Navarra
31009 Pamplona - Navarra. Spain
Tel. +34 948 42 56 00 ext. 802611
caminoprogram@unav.es