Click here for more on Bret and Katia Welcome to Loreto: by Bret and Katia Thoman, OFS Watch on Conrad entrusts a key to one of them, someone hes sure will take care of his comrades and bring them all home. On one pilgrimage, Fr. It is completely FREE so that everyone can experience a pilgrimage during this tough year of 2020. Every morning, Friar Michael will celebrate a daily Mass and reflect on the Gospel call to justice, peace and nonviolence. As a Franciscan, Bishop Br. : 102.000,00 i.v. As we walk through the beautiful Italian landscape, we will also explore the inner terrain of our hearts and souls with the help of daily readings, questions, spiritual practices, and group reflection every evening before dinner. Please remember that going on any international journey has risks, including getting COVID and our team will help in any way we can to support and comfort anyone in this situation, though legally Pace e Bene and the Franciscan Action Network will not be held responsible for any participant who may get sick. The church of Santa Maria Maggiore was the cathedral of Assisi before 1036 when the church of San Rufino took over the position, but what we see today dates back to the 12th century. The pilgrims included Sisters, Covenant Companions, Read More Franciscan Pilgrimage to Assisi The Wheaton Franciscans are the St. Clare Regional Community of an international congregation, the Franciscan Sisters, Daughters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (FCJM). You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. The first morning in Rome, the pilgrimage group was to go to the Vatican for the papal audience, but Hedrick-Erickson stayed behind awaiting word on the birth. Both Rev. Since completing his military service, Fr. Mark is also a faculty member at All Faiths Seminary International for the training of interfaith ministers. In the spirit of balancing activity with contemplation, the Wednesdays of each of the two pilgrimage weeks are free days. . Date of stay: October 2018 We visit as well the Church of San Francesco dAssisi a Ripa, built in the 13th century on the site of a hospice for travelers where St. Francis lived during his stay in Rome. Franciscan Pilgrim Programs General Information - Page 32 Booklet www.franciscanpilgrimages.com Franciscan Pilgrimage Programs P.O. : 102.000,00 i.v. After some leisure time to explore the sanctuary on our own, we return to Assisi for dinner and the evening. Sede legale: 58, Via Cavour - 00184 - Roma - Italia - Tel. For over 50 years Franciscan Pilgrimage Programs, Inc. (FPP) has created cross-cultural journeys in the spirit of SS. For more information about this committee, please contact Colette Gelwicks at colette.gelwicks@gmail.com. His first task, as a result of a vision he had, was to restore ruined chapels in the vicinity of Assisi. Please Note: In the event that COVID or any other pandemic makes traveling to Italy inadvisable in 2024, any payments made toward the pilgrimage will be refunded in full. During this week, you are immersed in the rich Franciscan history of Assisi, connecting the lived experiences of Francis and Clare with the major sacred sites throughout the ancient city. Ken has published six books, includingNonviolent Lives: People and Movements Changing the World Through the Power of Active NonviolenceandPilgrimage through a Burning World: Spiritual Practice and Nonviolent Protest at the Nevada Test Site. During a typical year of operations, FPP produces 35-50 pilgrimages, hosting . (+39) 06.48.82.441 - great@uni.net - P. Just in the month of July (2007), the councillors of Santiago and Assisi decided to twin these two towns for the common cultural and spiritual affinities, re-proposing the pilgrimage as a real source of a "new" evangelisation. We enjoy full day excursion to La Verna, the place where nature and spirituality come together in perfect balance. Viterbos employees go as part of a group of 30 pilgrims from institutions belonging to the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities. Franciscan Foundation for the Holy Land P.O. Aug. 16, 2015. On July 17, 1228, the day after Francis's canonization, Gregory laid the cornerstone of the church. - C.C.I.A.A. We also encourage all participants to join or organize at least one event during the Campaign Nonviolence Action Days as active nonviolent public preparation for this private pilgrimage and retreat to Assisi. with Michele Dunne, OFS, Executive Director of the Franciscan Action Network From our base in Assisi, you will venture toother cities in Umbria and beyond that echo with significant Franciscan history, legends, and miracles including Greccio where Francis enacted the first living Nativity, and La Verna where Francis received the stigmata. Sylvania, is sending me, along with two other Sisters, on a Franciscan Study Pilgrimage where we will experiencephysically, mentally, and spirituallythe many places of our . Let the spirit of our Community support you on your journey. After some free time for lunch and self exploration, on the way back to Assisi, we stop and visit the Rivo Torto church containing the hut where St. Francis and his companions sheltered and where he had drawn up the first draft of theRule. You will go via Assisi, the home of the saint, and end in the classic and Eternal City of Rome. Before joining FAN, in 2021, Micheles career focused on the Middle East and U.S. foreign policy, including nearly 20 years in the U.S. Department of State as well as heading programs focused on peace, human rights, and democracy in the Middle East at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Dinner and overnight. The Assisi, Italy Peace & Justice Pilgrimage June 23 - 30, 2024 Sponsored by Pace e Bene Nonviolence Service and the Franciscan Action Network Led by Pace e Bene's Dr. Ken Butigan and Friar Michael Lasky, OFM Conv. The Religious Formation Conference (RFC) is a national Roman Catholic organization serving religious institutes of women and men with programs and services for those in the ministry of initial and lifelong formation, and general congregational membership. Pilgrimage to Santiago and Assisi wined. Thistradition originated with St. Francis, who staged the first nativity scene onChristmasEve in 1223 whilevisitingGreccio. He began his pastoral and . Group reflection, dinner and social beginning at 5:30pm. The Pilgrimage will begin on June 23 with a welcome, introductions and a Catholic Mass, then a social and dinner. Conrad explained, as long as the traveler is fully present and intent on understanding and embracing the people and the culture. He was the national coordinator of the Pledge of Resistance and a national organizer for the Declaration of Peace. Learn about the inspirational life of St Francis with guided tours of the Basilica of St Francis, the Porziuncola in Santa Maria degli Angeli, the sanctuary in Greccio and much more. Day 4 - Assisi - La Verna - Florence. Louie . Visit serene lakes and enjoy mountain vistas, then feel the mists of the thundering waters of the largest human-made waterfall. Paige and Rob) who will accompany our group every step of the journey, guiding our spiritual reflections and coordinating logistics. Rome & Assisi Pilgrimage. In the event that the pilgrimage gets cancelled all payments made toward the pilgrimage will be refunded in full. This week-long pilgrimage to Italy takes pilgrims to Benevento, San Giovanni Rotondo, Assisi, and Rome on a spiritual journey following in the footsteps of. Led by Pace e Benes Dr. Ken Butigan and Friar Michael Lasky, OFM Conv. I found it really inspirational. We then continue to our hotel for dinner and the evening. The St. Rose Convent, home to the FSPA, still feels like its part of the Viterbo campus, but today Sr. Laura is the only FSPA member on the universitys staff. Paul is delighted to collaborate again with Mark DAlessio. Your email address will not be published. As the General Delegate for Justice, Peace, and the Integrity of Creation for the Franciscan Order, he spends most of his time in the grassroots working with friars on social justice initiatives and offering formation programs on the social teachings of the Church and Franciscan spirituality. Then we will visit a significant site in or around Assisi and have a presentation on the lives of St. Francis and St. Clare and their lessons of nonviolence, presented by Ken and Friar Michael. On the veteran pilgrimages, Fr. In Assisi, the "Assisi" scroll is removed at the end of the pilgrimage. The pilgrimage to Assisi felt like a week in heaven, surrounded by beauty, spirituality, and warm companionship. Over the years, he has worked for Franciscans International at the United Nations as director of the New York office and Americas program, and for the Franciscan Action Network as a board member. Pilgrimage is a practice well-suited to those who find themselves at an inflection point in their lives and who wish to explore wheres life journey may lead them next. The merchants, who could not own land, rose up against the landowning nobles, who fled to neighboring Perugia. The commune of Assisi donated land, and at the end of April 1228, the Pope sent out an appeal to the Christian people requesting funds for the project. Required fields are marked *. We continue with our sightseeing tour, visiting the major sites associated with St. Francis and St. Clare, including the Chiesa Nuova, built atop the childhood home of St. Francis and the Church of St. Clare, St. Francis contemporary and founder of the Order of the Poor Clares. 2018 Great Travel Service srl. Drawing inspiration from Francis life and ministry, as well as from the Umbrian countryside that he considered sacred, we will reflect on our connection to the Earth, to one another and to our own souls. Ireland: 01 241 0800 Cork: 021 242 7190 . We are a welcoming community collaborating with others to be a blessing in the world. He is delighted to collaborate again with PaulKimmerling, for all of the reasons that Paul mentions below! Discover Assisi like Francis and Clare did - on foot. Each pilgrimage week starts with dinner and orientation on Sunday evening with departure on the following Saturday. The balance of the day will be at our leisure. Its amazing, said Rivera Torres, a Sun Prairie native who graduated from Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart. Over the course of their friendship, they have designed, delivered, and mentored a variety of retreats and educational programs for Franciscan communities, 12-step communities and the Education for Ministry (EFM) program of the Episcopal Church. Those under 18 may also be accepted if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. The Rt. The relics of Saint Francis are still to be found in this beautiful basilica, formerly known as the Papal Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi. Or, if you want something more active, you can explore the hidden corners of Assisi, go for a hike in the beautiful countryside, or visit a neighboring city like Spello or Perugia. It certainly was magical for Patricia Rivera Torres, a senior theatre major (with a religious studies minor) who was one of 16 students who went on the pilgrimage last spring. Dinner will be at the hotel. Afterwards, we continue our journey through the 13th century basilica and the basilicas of St. Clare and St. Mary of the Angels. and was part of the leadership team that reimagined/redesigned the AP for the age of Zoom. Paige Getty from Sept 25 Oct 1, 2022, on a spiritual pilgrimage to Assisi, walking in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology and the environment. We felt the power of the Holy Spirit through the connection made to Francis and Claire by Ken and John and also a connection with and deep appreciation of each other through the daily reflections and activities. Lunch and afternoon free. Joining the team on the pilgrimage will also be Franciscan Action Network (FAN) Executive Director, Michele Dunne, a professed Secular Franciscan. Lunch is at our leisure with the optional possibility of arranging it in the refectory of the Pilgrim of the Sanctuary. The JPIC Office endeavors to look at the most significant social and environmental justice issues of our time and discerns how we can best respond. Responding to Pope Francis encouragement for us to hear and respond to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor, in 2019 Friar Michael founded Little Portion Farm in Ellicott City, Maryland. It is here that St. Francis persuaded Pope Innocent III to give permission to begin the Franciscan Order. Buffet breakfast. In 2022, four Viterbo employees made the pilgrimage. Saturday, June 29, Presentation at hotel with Ken Butigan on Eremos della Carceri, St. Francis hermitage. St. Francis Pilgrimages is owned and operated by Bret and Katia Thoman. Busfare is included. Written by Michael Turtle Michael Turtle is the founder of Time Travel Turtle. Pilgrimage Bis a second week that expands your geographical scope. Ken Butigan is a strategist and consultant for Campaign Nonviolence. The chapel's origin is a thing of legend. the beautiful medieval town of Assisi. Adjacent is the Cappella delle Rose with fine frescoes by Tiberio d'Assisi, from 1518, depicting scenes from the saint's life. Itinerary with stages: the Pilgrimage in a few words. Walking through the same streets, seeing the same views, breathing the air in the same spaces as St. Francis helps to bring alive his transformed life that transformed the world. Dinner is at our hotel. DAY 2: ARRIVE ROME / ASSISI We arrive in Rome and are met by our experienced tour manager who will accompany us throughout our journey. At the end of our visit we can return back to the hotel with our included transfer or enjoy an optional visit of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. Viterbo students going on Assisi pilgrimages enroll in a semester-long class in which they delve into the history of St. Francis and Clare, both of whom gave up lives of privilege to live simply and serve those on the margins, including the lepers cast out of Assisis city walls. Together, we will walk in the footsteps of these peacemakers whose courageous nonviolence, compassion for others, kinship with creation, and work for peace and reconciliation have inspired people everywhere. . Mark DAlessiois a Franciscan friar in society of the Companions of Francis and Clare. Box 29086 Washington, D.C. 20017-9086 (855) 500-3345 (FFHL) We arrive in Rome and are met by our experienced tour manager who will accompany us throughout our journey. Door-to-door daily luggage transfer (1 item per person), so we can walk with only day packs. Paige and Rev. Mark is committed to serving those who are sidelined and at risk. Have the Franciscan tradition of the Nativity crche in your home this Christmas, as well as a piece of the Holy Land. Yoga and massage can be arranged. A 1995 graduate of Viterbos nursing school, Hedrick-Erickson left for Italy with her second grandchilds birth imminent. Franciscan University of Steubenville is no ordinary university, and a Franciscan education is no ordinary education. The nave, semi-circular apse and sacristy still have remains of frescoes from the 14th and 15th century. Daily reflection questions, readings, and practices to spiritually focus each day of our pilgrimage. Saint Francis was born in Assisi and his tomb is in a crypt below Saint Francis Basilica, a popular pilgrimage and tourist site in Assisi. 15. Viterbo is committed to keeping its Franciscan identity strong, and that includes offering Assisi pilgrimages for faculty, administration, staff, students, and alumni. As this is an international trip, all participants must have a passport in order to join us. di Roma 844/92, 10 Days: A Franciscan Pilgrimage to Italy- Assisi, Rivo Torto, Greccio, Montecasale & more. Assisi is this beautiful village that takes you in and embraces you, said Hedrick-Erickson, who joined the Viterbo faculty in 2001. After our visit we take our taxis and transfer to the Church of San Damiano, a tiny church located outside of the walls of Assisi. Participation in pilgrimages to Assisi, Italy, bring a less visible connection to the university's Franciscan roots to campus. The Assisi, Italy Peace & Justice Pilgrimage. St. Francis of Assisi; St. Clare of Assisi; Mother Mary Adelaide; Jubilarians 2022; Leadership Team 2021-2025; In Memoriam; Mission & Vision. Assisi Pilgrimages Help Keep Viterbo's Franciscan Connection Strong Thursday, February 23, 2023 The Dancing Francis statue on Viterbo's Assisi Courtyard is one of the visible signs of the university's Franciscan heritage. Conrad views sacred travel. FAN is a registered 50l(c)(3) non-profit organization. My faith was really reignited. I came back with this lightheartedness and joy, walking with a lighter step. 10 Days: A Franciscan Pilgrimage to Italy- Assisi, Rivo Torto, Greccio, Montecasale & more | Catholic Pilgrimage DAY 1: DEPART We depart for Rome. For most of its history, FSPA members dominated faculty and staff positions, and until the 1940s all the students were FSPA members, too. On the way weenjoy a panoramic tour of some of the sites of Ancient Rome: we drive by the Circo Massimo, the Palatine Hill, the Roman Forum and the Coliseum. We welcome you and pledge ourselves to. Countless pilgrims come to the cradle of Franciscan spirituality every year to draw from the numerous sites in and around Assisi associated with the saints' lives. His love of Assisi and his deep connection with St Francis prompted Paul to design and lead five retreats in Assisi. Our Pilgrimage begins today as we depart on our flights to Rome. Br. He is also the director of the Conventual Franciscan website: FranciscanVoice.org. Viterbo employee pilgrimages, which go back at least 20 years, occur every year in May after commencement (the pandemic caused two pilgrimages to be cancelled). Rather, he was drawn to live simply and serve God by caring for people on the margins, explained Viterbo chaplain Father Conrad Targonski, a member of the Order of Friars Minor (OFM), which was founded by St. Francis in 1209. Walk at your own pace in Assisi, down in the scenic Spoleto Valley, or along the panoramic trails atop Mount Subasio. He was one of the Guilds pilgrimage leadersto Iona in 2019 and is an AP guest faculty member. Student pilgrimages start in Rome, including a visit to the Vatican. It was here that St. Francis also wore the tunic for the first time. The power of the pilgrimage deepened our awareness and commitment to claim a non violent way of life. Kathleen and Ed S. If you have a longing to go deeper on your pilgrim journey, in the beauty of Assisi, I highly recommend Pace e Bene. In it were buried tens of martyrs, 16 popes and many early Christians. Ken lives in Chicago with his spouse Cynthia Okayama Dopke and their daughter. Father Conrad first visited Assisi early in his OFM journey. 2023 Viterbo University 900 Viterbo Drive La Crosse, WI 54601, Assisi Pilgrimages Help Keep Viterbo's Franciscan Connection Strong, Student pilgrimages start in Rome, including a visit to the Vatican. In the spirit of Mary Magdalene, the first to see and announce the resurrection, CMA proclaims the renewing and transforming power of encountering Christ in our lives and in the world. Join Siena's Franciscan Friars on a pilgrimage to Franciscan Italy: Tuesday, May 19 returning Sunday, May 31, 2020. Its relatively easy to picture what that must have been like because Assisi still has the look of a medieval mountainside city. A pilgrim will ask, Who is here, whos invited, whos not, Sr. Laura said. Several sessions of spiritual (and physical!) Umbria, Italy. Scheduled for May 31 to June 10, the pilgrimage will offer participants the chance to visit Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis, and Bagnoregio, the birthplace of St. Bonaventure - as well as Greccio, LaVerna, and Rome. Franciscan Spirit Blog. St. Francis of Assisi is the first person recorded who received the stigmata. We are exploring funding for partial scholarships for participants aged 21-35. After the pilgrimage, though, the new bonds that had formed emboldened students to speak up in class. All rising sophomores and juniors at St. Francis College have the opportunity to apply for the Student Franciscan Pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome and other places associated with St. Francis and St. Clare. Group reflection, dinner and social beginning at 5:30pm, Tuesday, June 25, Presentation at the hotel with Ken Butigan on San Damiano. Join us to take an inside-out approach to photo-making, inspired by Franciscan spirituality, that combines contemplative and creative practices. About John Quigley. Our Tax ID Number is 33-0628775. Assisi and Rome April 18-27, 2023 With Fr. As you traverse the hills of Assisi and the streets of Rome, you will be steeped in the places and stories of our Franciscan family, and enjoy a deeper experience of being Franciscan. Meanwhile, Gregory made plans to construct a pilgrimage church to house Francis's remains. After this turning point, St. Francis returned to Assisi unable to resume his privileged life. The pilgrimages are inspired in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, who had great love for God, the world's beauty, and the companionship of others. Conrads approach to pilgrimages, a philosophy informed by a book by Phil Cousineau titled The Art of Pilgrimage: The Seekers Guide to Making Travel Sacred., A visit to anyplace can be a pilgrimage, Fr. Join other pilgrims for food and fellowship. We visit her burial site located in the 13th-century Churchs crypt as well as the Crucifix of San Damiano.This afternoon is at leisure to reflect on how the lives of these two saints impact us today. In order to lower our carbon emissions due to flights and other transportation, we will also be contributing a portion of your pilgrimage payment toward a carbon offset program for the whole group. Mark. Afterwards we will visit the Cathedral of San Rufino and Santa Maria Maggiore. Buffet breakfast. Pilgrimage Ccombines both weeks of Pilgrimages A and B into a single, two- week immersion with Franciscanspirituality and history, sacred sites, beautiful countryside, and food and fellowship. Assisi, Italy. Conrad. Melissa Growt, assistant director of Viterbos Academic Resource Center, said she came back from the 2022 pilgrimage with a much deeper understanding of Francis and Clare and their commitment to their vision, especially the emphasis on community that is central to Franciscan ideals. Exploring Francis transformation with a group of people committed to peace and nonviolence make todays efforts to wake up the world more alive.. Copyright Religious Formation Conference |, InterCongregational Collaborative Novitiate (ICCN). We then visit the lower church, orBasilica Inferiore and the lower sanctuary, the Crypt of St. Francis housing his monumental tomb. Day 6: Walking out of Assisi, we enjoy a ring walk taking us to Santa Maria degli Angeli, where the Franciscan movement was born. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Join us for in-person or online worship on Sundays at 10am. Francis certainly seemed to be the leader and the one who was propelling things, but he had a group of people around him who supported him.. Even though we begin on June 23, if you arrive a day or two early, this will help you acclimate to the time change and overcome jet lag. He found a lot of comfort in nature.. IVA/C.F. Evan Schmittgen Austria Photoblogger Hi guys! Each pilgrim will arrive at Hotel Giotto in Assisi, Italy by 3 pm on Sunday, June 23 and depart the Hotel Giotto on Sunday morning, June 30. We are a welcoming community of faith striving to be a blessing in the heart of the world. All Masses are subject to final church schedules. This is a regular meeting of the Worship Steering Committee. Pilgrimage Afollows the footsteps of Francis and Clare within and around Assisi, Umbria. We will have group reflections later that afternoon along with a closing Mass at Hotel Giotto. the pilgrims of this pilgrimage automatically become co-founders! Dinner and overnight. There will also be time for quiet reflection and group discussion, as well as personal check-ins. Dinner is at our hotel tonight. Our Pilgrimages Plan a Trip Books About Us Blog voicemail: (US) 1-404-418-6683 SELF-GUIDED WALKS IN ASSISI. Your gift is fully tax deductible to the extent of the law. 1-800-447-3986; viewer@ewtn.com; Catholicism. Informative gatherings lead up to our pilgrimage as we prepare to stay in Siena, Assisi and Rome with visits to Orvieto, Florence, LaVerna, Greccio, Cortona and the Vatican. John Quigley, a Franciscan Friar and priest, is an accomplished public speaker and a talented artist. That early Franciscan brotherhood included many who, like Francis, had seen combat. We will then spend the rest of the morning at San Damiano, the church which St. Francis built and where he heard God speak to him through the crucifix, and where St. Clare eventually lived and died. The group spent 7-days in and around Assisi, visiting the holy places connected to the lives of St. Francis and Saint Clare, growing deeper each day in love with Franciscan spirituality, and creating a bond with one another. Overnight. We will provide taxis for any pilgrim who needs assistance to each days location. . Lunch and afternoon free. The retreat highlights their life events, spirituality, and writings, explored through talks, meditations, and practices, including questions for contemplation. We are a community of vowed sisters and covenant companions (lay women and men) who live the Gospel in the spirit of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi and our foundress Mother M. Clara Pfaender. Rob Hardies, who has led UU congregations on pilgrimages for nearly twenty years, traveling to locations on three continents. Lunch and afternoon free. Buffet Breakfast. Overnight: Assisi . Assisi, Italy is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace of St. Francis, the founder of the Franciscan Order and St. Clare the foundress of the Poor Clare's. It's a beautiful, peaceful, medieval village in Italy. He developed and for several years directed Pace e Benes From Violence To Wholeness program, and was actively involved in creating Pace e Benes Engage: Exploring Nonviolent Living program. It now produces 30,000lbs of organic food a year for the poor in Baltimore. The pilgrim Fr. We retrace Francis and Clarestravels from Assisi to other cities withimportant Franciscan legacies: In each location, we are immersed in thesignificant stories, miracles and eventsof each saints life and their resonancefor our lives. In the classes before the pilgrimage, Graham said, the students soaked up the shared knowledge but didnt often volunteer their own perspectives. Its about seeing people.. : 04207971005 - Cap. 13. Additional Details. His Franciscan retreat, Live the Questions: A Journey with Francis and Clare, was offered four times between 2013-2018. John Mattras | Franciscan Spirit Tours | 646-861-3634| 646-736-7964 | info@franciscanspirittours.com The Viterbo University Alumni Association has sponsored Italian heritage tours that included visits to Assisiwith another one planned for October 2023 to be led by Fr. May 8 - 18, 2023. And everybody comes back with a sense of peacefulness.. 1, led by Fr. Your cost of travel (including airfare and transfers) to the beginning of the pilgrimage and back from the end of it. Finally, we encourage everyone on the pilgrimage to enter the week in Assisi as a week of peace, prayer and pilgrimage. The Peace & Justice Pilgrimage of to Assisi seeks applications for 30 pilgrims. Paul Kimmerlingnow calls Assisi, Italy, his home, after retiring there from New York inMarch, 2021. She was only in Assisi for two hours, and part of that time she was lost, but she was thoroughly enchanted. Your email address will not be published. During his life, Francis went to La Verna several times it therefore becomes one of the hermitages in which every year he loves to spend prolonged periods of retreat, in prayer and penance. Details of the trip include: A five-day, six-night walking pilgrimage to Assisi, Sept 25 . To make the most out of your journey, we recommend that everyone attending read Marie Dennis et al, St. Journey with Rev. Our Assisi pilgrimage begins with Mass at the Basilica of St. Francis and contemplative time at the tomb of St. Francis. We meet our guide and enjoy a walking city sightseeing tour including the Basilica of St. Francis. These help encourage the kind of listening that prompts deeper understanding of your personal story and the ways in which it is woven into the universal story; the ways in which your being touches and impacts all other being and matter; and the ways in which all things are in relationship with each other. It was a really profound experience to be where Francis was and better see through his eyes., Ellen Graham, a sophomore education major from Burlington, doesnt come from the same kind of faith tradition as Rivera Torres, but she also found walking in the footsteps of St. Francis and St. Clare inspiring. I came back feeling like I can do better, like I can do more for the community, like I can serve my future students better.. The application for the May 2023 Assisi Pilgrimage is now open! A Few Openings Remain for Pilgrimage to Assisi, Italy (Sept 25 Oct 1, 2022), As adults who believe strongly that so-called childrens stories arent just for children, Rev.