A pilgrimage is an important part of any renewal group and one cannot come to Rome without a pilgrimage to Assisi.  We left Via Cassia on a Friday afternoon to begin our pilgrimage to Francis’s beautiful town of Assisi.  On entering this captivating town one realizes why Francis had such a great love of nature.

We arrived at San Damiano just in time for the outdoor Stations of the Cross, and joined other members from various countries who came to join in this symbolic ceremony.  San Damiano is a secluded area surrounded by mountains and it appeared to me that the birds never stop singing the praises of the Lord.  The stations finished at the entrance of the church where we entered and joined the friars for Vespers.

We were fortunate to have a Franciscan friar as guide and he gave us many insights into the life of Francis and Claire.  We visited the Church of Saint Francis and also the small church that is built over his paternal home.  At the Church of Saint Claire, which is at the other end of town, we walked and walked up many hills to reach this beautiful area.  We spent a prayerful time at the burial place of St. Claire asking her to fill us with the love of God and neighbor that she and Francis lived throughout their daily lives.

After having walked and climbed for several hours we were very hungry pilgrims and we stopped at a pizzeria for refreshments.  The group was very happy in sharing this day together, bringing us closer to Saints Francis and Claire, appreciating the Franciscan spirit of fraternity which is found in all creatures and especially in creation.

Sister Claire Rheaume, smsm