Pilgrims on Mission: SBCA Walks the Benedictine Trail
By Ma. Lea A. Martinez
Members of San Beda College Alabang, along with our beloved monks, embarked on a sacred pilgrimage to Italy and Spain from September 21 to October 1, 2025. The ten-day journey focused on visiting places in Italy that hold deep significance to the life and works of our Holy Father, Saint Benedict, and to the Benedictine Order. It also included a visit to Spain, particularly the Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat, which we hold dear as our spiritual mother. Along the way, we visited numerous basilicas, churches, and other sites of great historical and spiritual importance.
Our pilgrimage began with a visit to the Monasterio di San Benedetto Subiaco, nestled in the mountains about an hour from Rome. Subiaco marked a pivotal chapter in Saint Benedict’s life, where he lived as a hermit for three years in a cave known as the Sacro Speco. There, he embraced solitude and prayer, founding his first twelve monasteries. Seeing the sacred cave—now adorned with a carved figure of Saint Benedict—filled us with awe. The monastery’s remarkable architecture, built into the rock with layers of chapels and murals preserved through the centuries, was truly inspiring. Our Benedictine monks celebrated a private Mass here, deepening our spiritual experience. We also visited the nearby Laghetto di San Benedetto, a serene lake and waterfall surrounded by lush greenery. The site perfectly captured the tranquility and communion with nature that shaped Saint Benedict’s early monastic life.
The following day, we traveled for about two and a half hours to Norcia, the birthplace of Saint Benedict, where his journey from worldly life to spiritual devotion began. The countryside was breathtaking, filled with open farms and rolling green landscapes. This historic hill town, nestled in the Apennine Mountains, radiates rustic charm and a sense of holiness. We walked through Piazza San Benedetto, where the statue of Saint Benedict stands at its center. Although the Church of Saint Benedict is undergoing renovation, we were able to stroll along Norcinerias, a street famous for its traditional cured meats, widely known for their origins in Norcia. We then proceeded to the Basilica of Santa Rita da Cascia for our private Mass.
The next day took us to Abbazia di Montecassino, the monastery founded by Saint Benedict in 529 A.D. after leaving Subiaco. Here, he wrote The Rule, the foundation of Benedictine life. Upon entering the monastery, we attended a private Mass, followed by a guided tour of the basilica. Every chapel, artifact, and painting told a story of devotion and endurance. Standing before the tombs of Saint Benedict and his twin sister, Saint Scholastica, was an inspiring moment that moved many of us to silent reflection. Later that day, we also visited the Santuario della Trinità alla Montagna Spaccata in Gaeta, which offered stunning views of the Grotta del Turco and the Mediterranean Sea below.
In Rome, our journey continued with both prayer and exploration. On our first leisure day, we attended a private Mass at the Pontifical Athenaeum of St. Anselm before exploring in smaller groups. We visited the Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore, our first Porta Santa (Holy Door). Our monks reminded us that these Holy Doors, found in four major papal basilicas, are opened only during Jubilee Years—a special Catholic event that occurs every 25 years, a rare moment of grace and renewal. How blessed we were to experience this in our time.
No visit to Rome would be complete without entering Vatican City. As we approached the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, our hearts were filled with excitement. When we reached the entrance to Piazza San Pietro, we were amazed and could hardly believe that we were truly there. We had only seen this place through videos and social media, yet now we stood before the Papal window at the center of St. Peter’s Square. At the square, we managed to secure tickets to the Vatican Museums, which we had struggled to book the previous night. Inside the Musei Vaticani, we marveled at a vast collection of classical sculptures, Renaissance paintings, and sacred art, culminating in the breathtaking Cappella Sistina (Sistine Chapel), adorned by Michelangelo’s renowned murals.
The next day brought an even deeper encounter with Vatican City. We entered the Basilica Papale di San Pietro, passing through our second Holy Door, and attended a private Mass in one of its grottoes beside the tomb of Pope Pius XI. We later visited the Basilica Papale di San Paolo Fuori le Mura and the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, completing all four Holy Doors of Rome—a symbolic journey of renewal, mercy, and deeper faith.
Our last day in Italy began with a private Mass at our hotel, followed by some last-minute purchases before our flight to Barcelona, Spain.
Italy’s beauty is beyond compare—its timeless architecture, vibrant culture, and remarkable cuisine filled our days with wonder and gratitude. As pilgrims, we were blessed to walk through sacred and historic landmarks such as the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, and Colosseum, while delighting in the country’s signature dishes—pizza, pasta, gelato, croissants, and fine wine.
Our journey of faith continued in Spain. Upon arrival in Barcelona, we embarked on a city tour, visiting the magnificent Basilica de la Sagrada Familia, an architectural masterpiece and one of the world’s most iconic churches. Later, we traveled to Montserrat, where the Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey, a Benedictine monastery set amid a tranquil natural park, awaited us. Reaching the abbey via the Aeri de Montserrat cable car, rising 4,400 feet above the valley, was a breathtaking experience. Our monks celebrated Mass in one of its chapels, after which we venerated the Black Madonna, Our Lady of Montserrat, with heartfelt devotion. The abbey’s serene atmosphere and scenic grandeur offered the perfect setting for reflection and prayer.
Our pilgrimage concluded at the La Catedral de la Santa Creu i Santa Eulàlia, also known as the Barcelona Cathedral. Beneath its altar lies the crypt of Santa Eulalia, where we attended a private Mass. The 13th-century Gothic cathedral, with its towering nave, side chapels, and peaceful cloisters, left us in quiet reverence.
Spain was a brief yet meaningful end to our pilgrimage—a journey not only of travel but of transformation. Alongside visits to Montjuïc Hill, La Ribera, Port Olímpic, and La Roca Village, we delighted in Spanish cuisine, particularly the classic seafood paella, savoring the culture that enriched our spiritual experience.
“As our pilgrimage came to a close, we carried home more than memories—we carried faith rekindled, unity strengthened, and hearts renewed.”
As our pilgrimage came to a close, we carried home more than memories—we carried faith rekindled, unity strengthened, and hearts renewed. Overflowing with gratitude, we especially thank our beloved monks for this wonderful, once-in-a-lifetime gift of a spiritual odyssey. Truly, it was a grace-filled journey that we will forever cherish in our hearts. The journey from Subiaco to Montserrat was more than a physical passage; it was a spiritual voyage that deepened our connection with God, our Benedictine roots, and one another. In prayer, reflection, and shared wonder, we rediscovered what it truly means to walk together in faith—seeking peace, living humbly, and carrying the light of Saint Benedict wherever we go.
