August 12th to 19th and August 20th to 27th 2023

Simplonpass 2000 m ASL / Passo del Sempione
You are invited to participate in the Spiritual Exercises of Living Stones / Pietre vive (http://www.pietre-vive.org/) in the wonderful mountain region of Switzerland on the border to Italy, at 2000 m ASL. Discover the beauty of Simplonpass, pray in silence in nature and meet young people of Living Stones Groups from all over Europe.
The common language for the spiritual instructions and Eucharist will be mainly English. The spiritual accompaniment will take place in the following languages: English, Italian, Spanish, French and German.

For young adults, ages 18-35 years

Guides: Andreas Schalbetter SJ, Barbara Haefele sa, Caterina Bruno, Christine Klimann sa, Jean-Paul Hernandez SJ, Mathias Werfeli SJ and other guides.

Cost: between 100 and 200 euros (financial issues should not discourage from applying) plus travelling costs.

What to bring: Your towel, personal medications, mountaineering or hiking boots, sun hat, sunglasses, raincoat, one litre (Pet-) bottle, bathing clothes (for a dip in the cold – there is a lake nearby) etc. It can get very cold and even snow at this time of the year – so also take warm clothes like jacket…! Bring your Bible, notebook, pen and (if you have) Pietrevive Songbook and a food speciality from your region, your country for the first dinner. Bring a pastic box (for picknick), hiking sticks (if you have them already). Money in cash (because there are no bancomats / ATMs) and if needed: a Skross Adapter Europe / Switzerland.

Arrival: It is not possible to arrive one day later because of the dynamic of Spiritual Exercises, but it’s no problem to arrive one day earlier.

Hikes: The “Spiritual Exercises" are in the center of attention. On two or three days we will hike together for about four hours per day. Individual hiking is also possible.

Silence: As common in spiritual exercises, they also take place in continual silence. Exceptions: every day there is a talk with a spiritual guide. At the end of the week, even if you have spoken little with each person, you will know them very well. 

Accommodation: Beautiful, silent location, accessible by public transport or by car.
Everyone is personally responsible for his insurance!

Access: With public transport from Milano, Zurich or Geneva. There are only a few good connections per day, check online in English https://www.sbb.ch/en/home.html or in Italian https://www.sbb.ch/it/home.html ect.

Registration: until August 5th 2023.

Information: exercises.simplonpass@gmail.com (Peter Girsberger)