SPC Mini Immersion Seminar Info Page

Colombia Seminar at San Pedro Claver School

"Journeying Together: Service, Faith, and the UAPs in Colombia"

October 22-28, 2025

Seminar Host: Fr. Hugo Gomez-Sevilla, SJ

✠ Day 1: Wednesday, October 22, 2025 – Departure
Your transformative journey begins as you head to your local airport and board your flight to Colombia. Enter into the spirit of this pilgrimage as you prepare to witness Jesuit educational leadership in action and experience the rich heritage of Colombia.

✠ Day 2: Thursday, October 23, 2025 – Living the UAPs in Colombia

8:00 AM – Breakfast at your accommodations.
9:00 AM – Welcome Address: "Living the Universal Apostolic Preferences in Colombia"
Framing our seminar with a reflection on how Jesuit institutions in Colombia bring the UAPs to life through education, care for creation, and accompaniment.
10:00 AM–12:00 PM – Guided Visits at San Pedro Claver Main Campus. Witness Jesuit leadership in action and engage with students and faculty.
12:00 PM – Lunch (provided on campus).
2:00-4:00 PM – Visits to the San Pedro Claver Primary and Middle School Campuses. Explore how the formation of youth aligns with the Jesuit tradition of integral education and discernment.
4:00-5:00 PM – Panel Discussion with select faculty on “Jesuit Education: Walking with Youth for a Hope-Filled Future.”
7:00 PM – Group Dinner at a nearby steakhouse. Savor Colombian cuisine and engage in fellowship.

✠ Day 3: Friday, October 24, 2025 – Jesuit Works and Care for Communities

8:00 AM – Breakfast.
9:00 AM -12:00 PM – Morning Seminar: "Jesuit Works in Colombia: Accompanying Communities in Mission."
Reflect on the impact of Jesuit initiatives that serve marginalized communities and promote justice and reconciliation. Visit to Fe y Alegría School. Learn how this Jesuit school network fosters education for social transformation, empowering the most vulnerable. 2:00–4:00 PM – Afternoon at a local coffee plantation. Experience Colombia’s coffee culture, its deep connection to Jesuit history, and its role in the Fair Trade Coffee Project. Learn how this initiative aligns with Caring for Our Common Home.
5:00 PM – Open discussion and exchange of ideas with participants. Reflect on the day’s insights.
7:00 PM – Special Group Dinner featuring South American wine pairings. Celebrate fellowship and cultural connection.

✠ Day 4: Saturday, October 25, 2025 – Exploring Colombia’s Heritage

9:00 AM–3:00 PM – Full-Day Excursion to the Colonial Town of Girón.
One of Colombia’s Pueblos Patrimonio, Girón invites you to step back in time. Enjoy a guided tour through its whitewashed colonial architecture and cobblestone streets, with opportunities to discuss the historical context of Colombia’s colonial past and its impact today. Lunch will be provided in town.
Evening – Flight to Bogotá.
7:00 PM – Farewell Group Dinner at a celebrated restaurant in Bogotá. Share stories, insights, and moments of gratitude for this transformative experience.

✠ Day 5: Sunday, October 26, 2025 – Return to the USA
Rise and shine as you bid farewell to Colombia and return home with a renewed sense of purpose, gratitude, and connection to the global Jesuit mission.

*If there is interest, an additional day can be added to explore Bogota further.

Key Themes: Universal Apostolic Preferences

Throughout this seminar, you will witness the Universal Apostolic Preferences in action:

Showing the Way to God through education and Ignatian discernment.
Walking with the Excluded in marginalized communities served by Jesuit initiatives.
Caring for Our Common Home through programs that promote sustainability and justice.
Journeying with Youth to form individuals for a hope-filled future.

Program Cost: $900.00 + Airfare

Airfare: Round-trip airfare from most U.S. cities typically ranges between $300 and $500, including one checked bag up to 50 pounds.

WHAT IS INCLUDED?

Four nights at a 4-star hotel in Bucaramanga and Bogota in single rooms. If you travel with a companion, a double room can be arranged for a $200 discount per person.
Seminar Materials
All ground transportation
Flights within Colombia
All meals during the seminar
Personalized experiences that make you feel like a local
Admission to all sites on the itinerary and excursion fees included
Certificate of Participation
Fun & lots of laughter