Philosophy Professor Kevin Hermberg, and students Liz Polanco and Paula Beltran (left to right) took part in the pilgrimage to Fanjeaux, France to learn about the life of St. Dominic.
Every spring, two Dominican College students and a faculty or staff member travel to the medieval hilltop town in France where St. Dominic lived. While in Fanjeax, they join with students, faculty, and staff from nine other Dominican colleges and universities to learn about the life of St. Dominic and walk in his footsteps.
Junior Liz Polanco took part in the 17-day pilgrimage from May 27 to June 13, 2019. “I now know the roots of the Dominican Order and the legacy that St. Dominic left behind,” she said. “The most enjoyable part of the trip was the friendships that I made with people from other Dominican institutions.”
St. Dominic’s vision of an order devoted to seeking and sharing the truth took shape from 1206 to 1216 in Fanjeaux. The pilgrims from Dominican colleges across the U.S. study each morning. In the afternoons, they visit historic sites in southern France, with a focus on places significant in the early history of the Order of Preachers. The program concludes with three days in Paris.
Interested participants submit applications to be accepted into the program. Dominican College underwrites the cost of the participation for one faculty or staff member and partially funds participation for two students, who are eligible to earn three credits.