Please enjoy Sr. Jess’ reflection on a recent pilgrimage to Italy.
Fr. Bob, Sr. Jaime, and Sr. Jess had the great opportunity to go on pilgrimage to Italy during the 2018 Christmas Season. The three Franciscans and two generous benefactors departed on Christmas day in order to celebrate the festivities of the Christmas season in Assisi and Rome!
The pilgrimage focused on following in the footsteps of St. Francis and becoming more familiar with his roots and the roots of Franciscan life. The band of travelers spent five days at Assisi as a home base, visiting the places of St. Francis’ birth, youth, and the churches built in memory aof him and of St. Clare. Additional pilgrimage stops included Santa Maria degli Angeli, whose English equivalent is “Our Lady of the Angels” church. This little gem was one of the first churches that St. Francis rebuilt in the fervor of his conversion and his initial try at ‘rebuilding the church’. A group highlight was praying the rosary in procession on the town square with ~100 locals on a Saturday evening.
Another five days were spent visiting the holy sites of Rome. This is where our schedule hit its stride: wake up, eat breakfast, visit a church, go to Mass, get a cappuccino and pastry, visit another church, eat lunch…. And continue to alternate between food and prayer! We taste-tested our way through the bistros of Rome, while taking the opportunity to pray in all of the major churches and basilicas.
Fr. Bob served as a wonderful tour guide, and Sr. Jaime & Sr. Jess were truly moved to a deeper friendship with St. Francis & understanding of the legacy he left. We are profoundly grateful to our travel companions & benefactors for this beautiful pilgrimage! It was an honor to pray with you. We offered many prayers for our neighborhood, benefactors and friends, and for the special intention of more vocations to our community.
