He is the patron saint of Italy, animals, ecology and merchants, and lead a fascinating life. The pilgrim Fr. 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. In the event of another pandemic or if COVID is resurging, as long as travel is still relatively safe, we will proceed with the pilgrimage, but all participants will be encouraged to follow all health and safety guidelines once in Italy. When St. Francis visited the Vatican back in the 12th century, he attended to the needs of those people, Sr. Laura said, and participants on a Franciscan pilgrimage should be as interested in those people on the margins as they are in seeing the treasures the Vatican holds. Dinner and overnight. This May, after a record number of applicants stepped forward, six Viterbo employees will make the journey to Assisi. Our Ministries; . IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF FRANCIS & CLARE is an immersion experience in Assisi, Italy a unique opportunity to contemplate your own spiritual path in companionship with beloved Saints Francis and Clare. Early afternoon we enjoy a guided visit of the Basilica of St. Peter which marks his burial site. Everybody was just so much more talkative.. Pray in each place. Assisi under the Nazis. Join Pace e Bene Nonviolence Service and the Franciscan Action Network on a powerful pilgrimage to Assisi, Italy in the summer of 2024 led by Franciscan Friar Michael Lasky and Dr. Ken Butigan.. Conrad. . May 8 - 18, 2023. The visual signs of Viterbo Universitys Franciscan heritage are hard to miss. We then continue to Assisi and our hotel. During a typical year of operations, FPP produces 35-50 pilgrimages, hosting . His less wealthy brothers-in-arms were executed instead of being held for ransom, often buried alive. The trip really motivated me to look again at how I am living out my values in terms of public activism. : 04207971005 - Cap. Thursday, June 27, The day is entirely free; lunch and dinner can be on your own, or you can have dinner at the hotel with those who wish. Our Pilgrimages Plan a Trip Books About Us Blog voicemail: (US) 1-404-418-6683 SELF-GUIDED WALKS IN ASSISI. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "abb9a4417eb5e82f0307c5c4940358eb" );document.getElementById("b7fc57970f").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Soak up the sun in the piazza with a cappuccino or gelato. 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. With Assisi as our base, wemake round-trip day tours by coach. In doing so, you can call forth what is deepest within you and begin to express that outwardly, within and around the medieval city of Assisi. DAY 2: ARRIVE ROME / ASSISI We arrive in Rome and are met by our experienced tour manager who will accompany us throughout our journey. Joining the team on the pilgrimage will also be Franciscan Action Network (FAN) Executive Director, Michele Dunne, a professed Secular Franciscan. As a fine art photographer, Paul was a member of the Atlantic Gallery, in Manhattans West Chelsea art district, from 2019-2021. We are a welcoming community collaborating with others to be a blessing in the world. 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. with Michele Dunne, OFS, Executive Director of the Franciscan Action Network Franciscan Spirit Blog. Wednesdays are completely unscheduled please do as you wish! Lunch is at our leisure with the optional possibility of arranging it in the refectory of the Pilgrim of the Sanctuary. St. Francis had received permission from Pope Honorious III to hold Midnight Mass in a cave nearthe village, so he led shepherds to the top of a nearby hill where they gathered together in a stable sheltering an ox and a donkey. 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. The beautiful hometown of St. Francis is one of the most beloved pilgrim sites in all the world. We are exploring funding for partial scholarships for participants aged 21-35. Those under 18 may also be accepted if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Date. Subasio. Day 6 - Florence - Siena - Rome. Peace be with you! The scenic St Francis Way walk will take you through "il cuor verde d'Italia", the green heart of Italy, visiting sites that are connected to the Saint. Day 3 - Rome - Assisi. We then depart Assisi for Rome, stopping first at the medieval town of Greccio, set on a beautiful mountaintop. Outside of our scheduled activities you are responsible for your own transportation. Id heard from so many peers what an incredible experience it was, and it really is. On Assisi Courtyard, there are statues of St. Francis and one of his earliest followers, St. Clare. Less obvious are the many people who walk the campus who have made pilgrimages to Assisi that deepened their appreciation for and connection to St. Francis and St. Clare and distilled their understanding of what it means to be Franciscan. Explore "The Eternal City" and all the marvels Rome has to offer - even experience a Papal Audience with the Holy Father! . Rob Hardies, who has led UU congregations on pilgrimages for nearly twenty years, traveling to locations on three continents. FPP also has offices in Rome and Assisi, Italy. The pilgrimage brings together leaders of various faith traditions form Franciscan colleges and universities across the U.S. to reflect on and learn form the vision and values of saints Francis and Clare of Assisi. This is a regular meeting of the Worship Steering Committee. Camino de Santiago: Pamplona to Santiago de Compostela, Group walk: Florence to Assisi, September 1-17, 2023, Group walk: Assisi to Rome September 24-October 10, 2023, Group walk: Lucca to Siena May 28-June 5, 2023, Group walk: Great St Bernard Pass from Lausanne to Aosta August 4-14, 2023, Walk with Efrn Gonzlez in 2023 on the Camino de Santiago. 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. He has been a lecturer in the spirituality and practice of nonviolence at the Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley, and directed the Spiritual Life Institute at Saint Martins College in Washington State for three years. The Long Island Coalition for the Homeless awarded Br. Finally, we encourage everyone on the pilgrimage to enter the week in Assisi as a week of peace, prayer and pilgrimage. Franciscan Pilgrimage Review of Casa Papa Giovanni Reviewed April 13, 2019 via mobile Fantastic place filled with soul and spirit. Pilgrimage C combines A and B for a complete two-week immersion, starting within the medieval walls of Assisi, and continuing with travel into Umbria andbeyond to cities with important Franciscan legacies.When you choose Pilgrimage C, you enjoy a discount of $400.00 for a single room,or a discount of $350.00 for a shared room. That audience proved especially impactful for Jenny Hedrick-Erickson, interim assistant dean of Viterbos College of Nursing and Health. Mark is also a faculty member at All Faiths Seminary International for the training of interfaith ministers. Conrad said. di Roma 844/92, 10 Days: A Franciscan Pilgrimage to Italy- Assisi, Rivo Torto, Greccio, Montecasale & more. 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. Moving to Long Island, he founded the Franciscan Circle, a progressive, interfaith gathering of clergy and lay people who seek to journey in mind and heart with the witness and wisdom of the Saints of Assisi, Francis and Clare. 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). Upon arrival we start a guided tour of this underground cemeterial complex with a network of galleries about 12 miles long, in four levels, more than twenty meters deep. Paul is delighted to collaborate again with Mark DAlessio. When it is all over, arrive at the incomparable Eternal City of Rome to enjoy an unforgettable pilgrimage made more real because you walked to get there. See where he heard his call to poverty, where he spoke to the Pope, where he received his vision and look at a letter written in his own hand. Cost for the pilgrimage is $3100 per person. It will also cover fees associated with certain reservations needed for group access at sights in Assisi. The balance of the day will be at our leisure. Day 1 - Departure. The news of a healthy delivery of a baby girl came just in time for her to catch up to her fellow pilgrims at St. Peter Square, clutching two rosaries to be blessed by the Pope, one for each of her grandchildren. 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. As a pilgrimage site it is truly unique. Your cost of travel (including airfare and transfers) to the beginning of the pilgrimage and back from the end of it. 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. The chapel's origin is a thing of legend. We are dedicated to helping Christian believers of all ages to more faithfully live the Gospel of Christ in the spirit of Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi. We will be in touch with you regarding the date. My jaw just dropped. Join Pace e Bene Nonviolence Service and the Franciscan Action Network on a powerful pilgrimage to Assisi, Italy in the summer of 2024 led by Franciscan Friar Michael Lasky and Dr. Ken Butigan. Our Tax ID Number is 33-0628775. Meals and drinks served aloft. On July 17, 1228, the day after Francis's canonization, Gregory laid the cornerstone of the church. 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. All around St. Peter Square are people struggling with destitution and homelessness. Theres ample evidence St. Francis suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and survivor's guilt, said Fr. Depending on arrival flight time, we stop at the foot of the hill of Assisi and visit the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, containing the Porziuncola, a tiny stone structure considered the home of St. Francis and his followers and the house where St. Francis founded the Franciscan order and died in or near, on October 3, 1226. . Father Conrad has been accompanied on the pilgrimages by co-leader Bill Reese, a Vietnam veteran who was a Viterbo religious studies professor from 1995 to 2018, and a psychologist. Though completed centuries ago, the frescoes are still vibrant. With Franciscan friars and expert guides, you will have the opportunity to learn more about our Catholic heritage and its roots. . The nave, semi-circular apse and sacristy still have remains of frescoes from the 14th and 15th century. the beautiful medieval town 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. We then continue to our hotel for dinner and the evening. Join Pilgrimage Leaders Margaret Benefiel and Chuck McCorkle to experience the awe-inspiring town of Assisi where pilgrims have sought wisdom for centuries. Sunday, June 23, Registration and check-in at Hotel Giotto from 1-3pm. ASSISI, Italy For centuries, pilgrims have trekked to Assisi to walk the same steep and narrow lanes on which a rag-cloaked radical monk named Francis preached an . We will then have a Mass that morning at Santa Maria degli Angeli inside the Porziuncola if possible. Numerous depictions of them adorn campus hallways and offices, along with representations of the San Damiano cross, before which St. Francis was praying when he heard the voice of God command him to rebuild my church.. All around St. Peter Square are people struggling with destitution and homelessness. 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. 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. A Viterbo alumni and friends trip to Italycalled "The Valleys of St. Francis: Discovering Our Viterbo Heritageis planned for Oct. 23Nov. Then we will gather for dinner and an evening check-in and prayer. 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. Dinner is at our hotel. I recommend this lovely place and give it my highest recommendation. He is also the director of the Conventual Franciscan website: FranciscanVoice.org. Lunch and afternoon at our leisure to walk the streets of this medieval town and absorb the spirit of Saints Francis and Clare. The Circle is dedicated to developing leaders for thoughtful social action and spiritual care. Im a Junior philosophy major here at Franciscan. More details will be provided. Led by Pace e Benes Dr. Ken Butigan and Friar Michael Lasky, OFM Conv. 7 talking about this. (9 km; 5.5 miles) Day 7: From Assisi we can easily reach Rome or Florence by train, or Siena by bus. A non-refundable deposit of $500 will be due within 30 days upon acceptance to the pilgrimage. 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. He is delighted to collaborate again with PaulKimmerling, for all of the reasons that Paul mentions below! Assisi Pilgrimage Online : A Virtual Journey of Peace and Nonviolence In the Footsteps of Francis and Clare A Six-Week Online Series Sponsored by Pace e Bene Tuesdays, 4-6pm Pacific / 5-7pm Mountain / 6-8pm Central / 7-9pm Eastern If you are on another time zone, find your start t . Hes also a spiritual director, bishop, priest, chaplain, retreat leader, author, crisis counselor for the homeless, and past president and executive director ofthe Psychotherapy & Spirituality Institute, which draws together the inspiration of the church with the wisdom of psychological care. We will also apply a portion of the funds towards a carbon offset program to alleviate the carbon emissions from flights and other transportation that are required for this pilgrimage. Overnight. 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. Id never been able to go somewhere related to someone so important in my life. 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. (+39) 06.48.82.441 - great@uni.net - P. 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. He found a lot of comfort in nature.. Feel free to rest, walk, shop, or visit other Franciscan sites such as La Verna, Gubbio, or Greccio. THE PILGRIMAGE. Participation in pilgrimages to Assisi, Italy, bring a less visible connection to the university's Franciscan roots to campus. Like the student trip, last years employee pilgrimage started at the Vatican, where pilgrims had some inspiring experiences, including a rare chapel service in St. Peters crypt and an audience with Pope Francis on St. Peter Square. IVA/C.F. You can contact Br. IVA/C.F. Its hard to even describe the feeling of being there, she said. In it were buried tens of martyrs, 16 popes and many early Christians. But it is above all the place where, on 17 September 1224, the feast of the exaltation of the cross, Francis receives the Stigmata. 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. You'll have the opportunity to visit the birthplace of St. Francis and see where he began his ministry. After that momentous start to her pilgrimage, she found the rest of her journey inspiring, even lifechanging. Join other pilgrims for food and fellowship. Thistradition originated with St. Francis, who staged the first nativity scene onChristmasEve in 1223 whilevisitingGreccio.