Spiritual journey to lands of St Dominic
People
Jarrod McCabe, a Glenelg parishioner and deputy principal at Cabra Dominican College, reflects on his recent pilgrimage to 'The Lands of Dominic', organised by Dominican Education Australia and Harvest Journeys.
It was a privilege to walk through Spain and France and deepen my understanding of St Dominic’s story, the Dominican charism and Cabra Dominican College’s Catholic identity.
The pilgrimage provided a unique opportunity to encounter and grow in faith, particularly in this Jubilee Year of the Church, themed ‘Pilgrims of Hope’.
Unlike a tour, a pilgrimage is not only physical but spiritual. As Pope Francis writes in Spes Non Confundit, ‘setting out on a journey is traditionally associated with our human quest for meaning in life’ .
For me, this journey was filled with encounters – with people, places, history and the sacred – that shaped and strengthened my relationship with God. It provided an opportunity to grow in relationship with God, as the disciples did on the Road to Emmaus, where they asked one another, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us…?’ (Luke 24:32).
One of the great graces of the experience was to share it with fellow pilgrims: staff, trustees and leaders from Dominican Education Australia ministries. The journey was rich in relationship and conversation, which gave it both personal and professional depth.
Spain: Foundations
Through Madrid, Segovia, Salamanca, Aza and Caleruega, I experienced the deep catholicity of Spain. The beauty of Fra Angelico’s Annunciation at the Prado, and the artwork in the Segovia Chapel built above the cave where Dominic prayed in 1218, pointed to the richness of faith expressed through visual art. These works told stories of faith and spirituality with a depth and authenticity often absent in today’s screen-based media.
In Salamanca, at the university where Francisco de Vitoria OP helped shape international human rights, I was reminded of the importance of deep learning and respectful dialogue – qualities central to Catholic education and my work at Cabra. The contrast with the superficiality of online discourse was striking, and it led me to reflect on how we, as educators, foster genuine understanding.
In Caleruega, Dominic’s birthplace, we encountered the harsh yet beautiful countryside that shaped him. The expansive horizon spoke to his capacity for forward thinking and his attentiveness to the signs of the times. Walking the streets of his village and climbing San Jorge Hill, I sensed how this environment formed his character and spirituality. It was here, too, that our group grew closer, as we shared stories of how our faith and the Dominican Charism shape our lives and work.
France: the Order Emerges
Crossing into France, our focus shifted to the foundation of the Dominican Order. In Fanjeaux, where Dominic was appointed parish priest amid tensions with the Catharist movement, we explored how he responded not with force but with presence. The Cathars rejected the goodness of the created world, yet Dominic preached the Gospel with humility, reminding others of the sacredness of creation and the dignity of every person.
Walking from Fanjeaux to the Monastery of Prouilhe, we followed in his footsteps. Knowing that he walked these same paths during a time of upheaval added depth to our reflection and conversations.
In Carcassonne, where Dominic preached Lenten sermons in 1213 during the Crusades, I sat in silence and considered the relevance of ‘truth’ today – veritas – which sits at the heart of the Dominican charism and on our school crest at Cabra. In my leadership role, I’ve often grappled with what ‘truth’ means in our context, and how it can be lived out with integrity and compassion. As Br Dominic Murphy OP reminded me during a conversation, “Christ is the embodiment of truth”. St Dominic carried the Gospel of Matthew with him as he travelled, reminding us that truth is always grounded in the life and teachings of Jesus.
A Charism Lived Today
The pilgrimage allowed me to deepen my understanding of the Dominican charism, rooted in the call to ‘contemplate and share with others the fruits of contemplation’.” The charism is alive when it emerges from a place of prayer and responds to the Gospel in our time.
Dominic was fully present to the religious, political, and social realities of his day, just as Jesus was. As a deputy principal, I am called to do the same – to read the signs of the times and respond with faith, courage and integrity.
This pilgrimage has enriched my understanding of how the Dominican story can be lived out in my role, especially in fostering truth, dialogue and a spirit of hope in our community. It has also marked the beginning of further discernment about what leadership in the spirit of Dominic looks like.
I am grateful to Dominican Education Australia, Harvest Journeys, Catholic Education South Australia and Cabra Dominican College for supporting my renewal leave. It was an exceptional experience and a privilege to share this sacred journey with my fellow pilgrims.
Jarrad McCabe is deputy principal: People Culture and Operations at Cabra Dominican College.
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