Momboisse Family Adventures April 2025: Manresa, Spain

 Wednesday April 9, 2025

Point Vell Bridge and Basilica of Santa Maria as seen from the Cova Sant Ignasi

Late in the afternoon we board our bus in Montserrat and travel about 30 minutes to Manresa, Spain. 

Point Vell Bridge

As we arrive in Manresa we pass under the stone Point Vell bridge which dates to the 12^th or 13^th century.  Then immediately the Basilica of Santa Maria which stands high on a rock comes into view.

Basilica of Santa Maria 

The original church of Santa Maria dates to 890 but much of it was destroyed over the years.  In 1322 a large addition and renovation was undertaken.  It was finally completed almost 100 years later.

                                           Entrance to the Church of the Cova Sant Ignasi

Our only stop in Manresa is the Church of the Cova Sant Ignasi, built in the 17^th century over the cave in which Saint Ignatius of Loyola used as a place for prayer for several months while he lived in Manresa.  It was here that he wrote his Spiritual Exercises.     

High Altar of Cova Sant Ignasi

The 8 side altars of this church has been decorated by Marko Rupnik former Jesuit priest who was excommunicated in 2020 after begin accused of sexual misconduct. Less than a year after his excommunication he was commissioned to install a set of mosaics in the Sanctuary of the Cave of St. Ignatius.  

           

These mosaics, based on the Spiritual Exercises written by Saint Ignatius, were installed in 2021 in commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Saint Ignatius to Manresa in 1522. Rupnik also created the prominent mosaics in Fatima at the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity and Lourdes at the Basilica of the Holy Rosary.   

Map of the interior of Cova Sant Ignasi

From the main church we enter the cave lobby (#5 Anantcova in map above). The floor and walls are covered with mosaics, stained glass windows, and bronze reliefs. 

Many of the mosaics and windows contain portions of the text of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius: "Man is created to praise, reverence and serve God our Lord, and by this means to save his soul. For it is necessary to make ourselves indifferent to all created things...desiring and choosing only what is most conducive for us to the end for which we were created." 

We step down to enter the Holy Cave.  On the wall of the cave are a set of crosses that are said to have been carved by St. Ignatius.  This chapel cave is where we will celebrate Holy Mass. 

                         

         

Steve reading one of the more challenging readings of the week, from the Book of Daniel Chapter 3.   

The Cave Chapel

Crosses carved by St. Ignatius

After Mass we visit the small museum which features a copy of the sword that St. Ignatius left at Montserrat and his espadrille (rope-soled sandal) that he wore during his stay in Manresa. 

Back on the bus we have a two hour drive to Barcelona.  This will be our last stop on our two week pilgrimage.

  

                               

Next Stop Barcelona, Spain 

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All photos and videos by L.A. Momboisse unless otherwise noted