Come with us to learn, enjoy, and serve

 Sign up for one of the credit Religious Studies Classes at the University of the Incarnate Word led by Sister Martha Ann Kirk in the 2017 Spring Semester. You can get your Level I or Level II Religious Studies Core credit doing this. Take the "Peru Study Trip" option to travel May 15 to 29.

Learn of religion, culture, art history, economics, health care. See the ministries of the Incarnate Word Sisters, Lay Missionaries, and Women's Global Connection. 

 Lima. Tours, lectures, and getting to know the Incarnate Word Sisters and Associates of Peru. See an introduction to the community  http://www.amormeus.org/  Social analysis of Peru in light of Christian social teaching and preferential option for the poor arranged by the Bartholomew de las Casas Institute.  An overview of ancient history through visiting the National Museum of Archeology, Anthropology, and History of Peru with stone tools from 8000 years ago through the artifacts of Nasca, Mochica, Chimu, and Inca cultures. An introduction to Spanish colonial history and art through visiting the grave of  Francisco Pizarro, the Spanish conquistador who came in 1535, touring the Cathedral built from 1605 to 1940 with its Museum of Religious Art and Santo Domingo Monastery built in 1549 where St. Martin de Porres and St. Rose of Lima were buried. An introduction to contemporary arts and crafts through visiting the Museum of Popular Art in the Casa de Riva-Aguero and modern crafts markets with their fine textiles, carvings, ceramics, jewelry, and alpaca wool garments. 

Trujillo and Chan Chan Ruins.  Visit one of the first places where Spaniards lived in Peru, Trujillo, and explore Chan Chan, the pre-Inca city declared a World Heritage site by the United Nations, and Huanchaco with its interesting beach. See the Hospital where Sr. Charles Marie Frank, first Incarnate Word Sister to go to Peru, worked.

 Chimbote.  An introduction to  Chimbote, a seaside city where thousands of people have come from inland and the mountains seeking work.  Worship at St. Francis of Assisi Church where I.W.  Sisters and I.W. lay missionaries live, hear of some of the challenges and opportunities at the Incarnate Word Sisters’ clinic, Santa Clara Posta Medica. Learn of the growing hospice program there. Talk to people on the Chimbote Diocese Social Justice committee and meet local people. Participate in a service project.  Learn of the work of  Women’s Global Connection www.WomensGlobalConnection.org. 

 Cusco and Machu Picchu. Learn about church and social projects in the Cusco area. See the Spanish colonial art and architecture of this ancient city in the Andes. Visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Go by train to Machu Picchu, discovered in 1911 by the American explorer Hiram Bingham and visit  "The Lost City of the Incas."  This citadel is considered one of the most extraordinary examples of landscape architecture in the world.  It straddles a mountain ridge surrounded by lush tropical forest.   Return from Cusco to Lima to the U.S.

Transportation, guides, sites, lodging, food, and lectures will tentatively cost $2,900 round trip from San Antonio to Peru. All will be in Spanish and English. Organized by Sister Martha Ann Kirk, Th.D., who has led study tours to many countries,  University of the Incarnate Word,  kirk@uiwtx.edu, (210) 829-3854 ,  http://www.uiw.edu/holylandtour/kirk.html