St. Francis Way Pilgrimage, with Jan Hrkut, Lenka Čapkovičová, & Jozef Murin

In this episode, Heather A. Warfield speaks with Jan Hrkut, an Associate Professor of Philosophy at the Catholic University Ruzomberok, Slovakia. Jan’s students, Lenka Čapkovičová and Jozef Murin, were also part of the conversation. We discuss their recent pilgrimage on the Way of Saint Francis in Italy and explore the context of their pilgrimage, the challenges faced, the importance of preparation, and the spiritual connections made along the way. The conversation highlights the significance of community, personal growth, and the unique dynamics of traveling with a professor. The group reflects on their experiences, lessons learned, and the potential for a future inclusion of pilgrimages into university class in Slovakia.

Takeaways

*The pilgrimage was a unique educational experience for students.

*Team building was enhanced through shared challenges during the Camino.

*Preparation for the pilgrimage was crucial for a successful experience.

*Spiritual connections were made, even for those who were initially focused on fun.

*The role of the professor was to guide and support the students.

*Community dynamics were strengthened through shared experiences.

*Daily challenges fostered deeper connections among the group.

*The stages of the Camino offered both physical and spiritual growth.

*Interactions with locals added richness to the pilgrimage experience.

*Lessons learned from the pilgrimage can be integrated into psychology studies.

Jan Hrkut is a husband, father, and teacher. He is an Associate Professor in Philosophy at the Catholic University in Ružomberok, Slovakia where his focus is on aesthetics, philosophy of religion, and critical thinking. In addition, he is involved with many activities within the Franciscan framework to include working with capuchins serving on the academic board of Saint Francis Ways.

Lenka Čapkovičová is a student, who is studying psychology at the Catholic University in Ružomberok. She is interested in movement and the outdoors, which blended together in her recent pilgrimage. 

Jozef Murín is a first year student, who is studying psychology at the Catholic University in Ružomberok. He is focused on child development and coaching through soccer training. He is also a part-time barber.