Sanctuary
Angel’s route, pilgrimages, Jubilee Year, retreats and activities, Eucharistic celebrations.
Spirituality centre
The Sanctuary of Aralar is nestled in a wonderful setting and constitutes an outstanding artistic complex, a testament to the appreciation it has received from thousands upon thousands of people throughout the centuries. It is a place of gathering and hospitality, but above all, the Sanctuary of Saint Miguel Excelsis is a centre of spirituality: a place of worship, sustained by popular devotion for more than a thousand years; a house open to prayer and human reflection; and an ideal place for reconciliation with God and with others.
The doors of the Sanctuary of Aralar remain open every day of the year. Admission is always FREE OF CHARGE.
Today, as always, the Sanctuary of Saint Miguel in Excelsis offers you a special opportunity to draw closer to God, to His works, and to His message of love and peace.
The Angel’s Journey
Each year, the effigy of Saint Miguel visits 320 towns and institutions in the northwestern part of Navarre. This visit dates back to 1127, when the image travelled to the city of Pamplona to attend the dedication ceremony of the Cathedral of Saint Mary. Since 1206, the visit has taken place every year, and the Angel’s retinue would visit the members of the Brotherhood of Saint Miguel’s Hospital.
The visit includes the blessing of the fields, the celebration of the Eucharist in the parish church, visits to the sick, and a visit to the home of the local members of the Brotherhood of Saint Miguel.
Pilgrimages
The ancient routes of the Camino de Santiago, the Vera Cruz, and the Ignatian Way pass through Aralar and its surrounding areas, as do the modern cycling routes Euro-Vèlo 1 and 3.
The protector of the Christian faith, the Archangel Saint Miguel, appeared in several places across Europe between the 5th and 10th centuries. As a sign of devotion to the Archangel, defender of the faith and captain of the heavenly armies, sanctuaries and churches began to be built in his honour. These were strategically located, as can be seen on the map.
Saint Miguel de Aralar serves as a hub of pilgrimage routes, where several different paths converge. Routes such as the Camino de Santiago, the Ignatian Way, and the Vera Cruz Way cross the Aralar mountain range and its surrounding valleys. Of particular interest is the so-called Sword of Saint Michael, which aligns sanctuaries from Israel to Ireland, following the sun’s course in a straight line at the summer solstice.
Jubilee Year
In 2018, Don Francisco Pérez, Archbishop of Pamplona, announced to the diocesan seminarians of Pamplona, Bayonne, San Sebastián, Vitoria, and Bilbao his intention to ask the Pope for the celebration of a Jubilee Year of Saint Michael. The purpose was to intensify prayer for the defence of the Catholic faith throughout the world, the fight against the Evil One, and the promotion of the proclamation of the Gospel to all those who do not yet know it.
At present, work is being carried out in coordination with the Sanctuary of Saint Miguel on Mount Gargano (Italy), so that other sanctuaries around the world may join the initiative of the Bishops of Pamplona and Manfredonia–Vieste–San Giovanni Rotondo.
Retreats and Activities
At present, we do not have any content for this section
Eucharistic Celebrations
Mass is celebrated on Sundays and holy days of obligation at 12:30 p.m. In 2018, the Archbishop of Pamplona announced to the diocesan seminarians of Pamplona, Bayonne, San Sebastián, Vitoria, and Bilbao his intention to ask the Pope for the celebration of a Jubilee Year of Saint Miguel. The purpose was to intensify prayer for the defence of the Catholic faith throughout the world, the fight against the Evil One, and the promotion of the proclamation of the Gospel to all those who do not yet know it.
This text is intended to replace the existing text in the Eucharistic Celebrations section.