The priestly renewal course “In the Footsteps of St Paul” takes place in Turkey, in the lands evangelized by the Apostle to the Gentiles and the setting of the first great Ecumenical Councils of the Church. It is organized by the Sacerdos Institute in collaboration with Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi and is structured as a formative pilgrimage that combines guided visits, biblical meditations, moments of prayer, and historical-theological reflection.

Through an itinerary that touches cities and regions central to Paul’s mission — such as Antioch, Tarsus, Cappadocia, and Ephesus — participants will have the opportunity to rediscover the apostolic roots of the Church and rekindle awareness of their own priestly vocation.

The aim of the course is to help each priest renew the meaning and missionary zeal of his ministry, drawing inspiration from the figure of St Paul: from his conversion to his tireless evangelizing work, culminating in the supreme witness of total self-giving.

A priest will accompany the group throughout the journey, offering biblical and spiritual guidance together with an expert local guide, providing historical, archaeological, and theological insights into the places visited. The course-pilgrimage is designed as a meaningful time of reflection, priestly fraternity, and inner renewal in a historical and religious context of extraordinary richness.

Program

The course follows an itinerary through the main places connected with the life and mission of St Paul and the history of the early Church:

• Antioch (Antakya) – Grotto of St Peter and memory of the missionary sending of Paul and Barnabas
• Seleucia – Port from which the first apostolic journey began
• Tarsus – Birthplace of St Paul
• Cappadocia – Land of the Cappadocian Fathers and a great monastic tradition
• Iconium (Konya), Lystra and Derbe – Early communities evangelized by Paul
• Antioch of Pisidia – Site of Paul’s great missionary discourse (Acts 13)
• Hierapolis (Pamukkale) – Memory of the martyrdom of St Philip
• Ephesus – Center of Paul’s long missionary activity and seat of the Council of Ephesus
• Miletus – Paul’s moving farewell discourse to the elders of Ephesus
• Smyrna – City associated with St Polycarp
• Troas – Vision of the Macedonian and resurrection of Eutychus
• Nicaea, Chalcedon and Istanbul – Places of the great Ecumenical Councils, with special remembrance of the Council of Nicaea (325 A.D.), origin of the Creed

Details

Dates: September 14 – September 28, 2026
Duration: 15 days
Main Location: Turkey (itinerary across Anatolia and Istanbul)
Language: Spanish (with spiritual guidance and translations depending on the group)

Costs and Registration

Participation fee: €3,000

The fee includes:

• Accommodation in a hotel (double room)
• Full board
• Internal transportation
• Local guides and spiritual accompaniment
• Basic medical insurance

Not included: international flights, single-room supplement, extra beverages, personal expenses.

Admission Requirements

To participate, the following documents are required:

• Completed contact form
• One passport-size photo
• Copy of a valid celebret (showing expiration date)
• Copy of passport, photo and personal data page. (The passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the end of the course)
• Copy of Curriculum Vitae

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Thanks to the generosity of benefactors, limited financial assistance is available to help priests from dioceses with fewer resources participate in the course.

Application Procedure

In the registration form, applicants may:

• Select accommodation in a double room
• Indicate their request for financial assistance
• Upload a letter of recommendation signed by their Bishop or Superior

Applications will be evaluated and the result communicated personally to each candidate.

Spiritual Accompaniment and Guides

The group will be accompanied by a priest responsible for the course, who will offer biblical meditations, moments of prayer, and spiritual guidance throughout the pilgrimage, in collaboration with local guides who are experts in Christian history and biblical archaeology.