Living the Fanjeaux, France Experience in 2010

Caldwell College student Lauren Podkul, Psychology Professor Stephen Maret, and Education Division staff member Margaret Russo, were among the faculty, staff and students from Dominican colleges and universities across the U.S. who took part in the Fanjeaux, France Study Experience from May 25 to June 11.

The trip is aimed at exploring the medieval hilltop town of Fanjeaux, where St. Dominic's vision of an order that was devoted to seeking and sharing the truth took shape from 1206 to 1216.

“Being in the same place where St. Dominic preached connected us all to him in a way that would have been impossible anywhere else,” said Podkul, who will be a senior in the fall. “I learned that St. Dominic had to overcome many different and difficult obstacles on his way to reaching his goal. This has given me the faith that God will help me overcome anything.”

In a three-credit course, France in the Middle Ages, Podkul and the other students had the chance to learn about the history, philosophy, art and literature of the period, both in class and on field trips.

“The best part of the experience was getting to meet so many wonderful people from all over the country. I learned so much from each of them.” And she found that “it was so nice to be able to focus only on God and forming relationships with other people.”

Faculty and staff took advantage of a seminar experience which explored the Dominican vision of higher education and how the intellectual traditions of the Order of Preachers relate to contemporary issues and challenges. Professor Maret said it was unique to be able to study history, theology, philosophy, and art through a format that included a daily morning seminar followed by an afternoon or full-day trip related to the seminar. “For instance, one day we discussed the history and theology of the Cathar heresy in the morning and the crusade that ultimately wiped the Cathars out, and that afternoon we were able to climb up to the ruins of the fort where the Cathars made their last stand and died. This is a very effective way to learn!” he said.

The group visited the first Dominican monastery that St. Dominic founded, which is located in Prouille. “Our group attended vespers in the monastery and we met the sisters who reside there,” said Russo. They attended a lecture given by a sister in French with an interpreter on the history of the Dominican order.

Staying in Fanjeaux could be compared to going back in time to a 13th century magical place. “From atop the town of Fanjeaux, one has a breathtaking view of the countryside, as well as the snow capped mountains of the Pyrenees. The view itself is spiritual in nature,” Russo said.

One of the teachers for the faculty group was Sister Vivien Jennings, O.P. former president of Caldwell College. She was very pleased with how faculty from around the U.S. came together as a community around the Dominican theme. They had a “real thirst for things Dominican”, and it was wonderful to see them “plum the depths of what that means,” she said.

Professor Maret said that going forward in his work at Caldwell College he realizes now that he is a part of a nearly 1000 year-old tradition of prayer, study, preaching, contemplation and commitment to justice, all grounded in the bedrock of the the "gospel". He gained a real appreciation for the Dominican commitment to the poor. “This has waned and waxed over the centuries and in various contexts, but it seems to have always been an animating theme and seems as relevant as ever.”

Russo said it was an adventure that takes one “out of their comfort zone and into a 13th century world filled with sacred places and practices, simplicity and spirituality.”

Sister Kathleen Tuite, O.P., Caldwell College’s Special Assistant to the President for Mission and Ministry, oversees the trip nationally. For more information go to http://www.caldwell.edu/fanjeaux/