Felician Franciscan Pilgrimage to Assisi and Surroundings

Written by Barb Spies, OFS, Director of Mission Services and Pastoral Care

Phil Cousineau says, “A pilgrimage is a transformative journey to a sacred center … a pilgrimage is a spiritual exercise, an act of devotion … pilgrimage is a powerful metaphor for any journey with the purpose of finding something that matters deeply to the traveler.” Luke Schubert, CEO of Felician Village, and Barb Spies, OFS, Director of Mission at Felician Village were given the opportunity by Felician Services, Inc., to go on a pilgrimage to Assisi and its surroundings to learn more about the Franciscan Tradition of which the Felician Sisters of North America are a part of.

Luke and Barb, along with two Felician Sisters, a Franciscan Friar, and twenty pilgrims total, represented nine of the Sisters’ ministries, and
Felician Services, Inc., Luke and Barb traveled from Rome to Greccio, Cantalice, Assisi, and Lago Trasimeno. It was a time of learning about the Franciscan heritage of the Sisters, and about St. Felix of Cantalice, for whom the Sisters are named. As we focus on the Mission of Felician Village, to provide compassionate care that respects the dignity of each person we serve, continuing the healing ministry of Jesus, the pilgrimage has helped us to focus our attention on God under the guidance of St. Francis, St. Clare, and St. Felix. Fr. Roch Niemier, OFM, said, “Places have their own power, one that evokes meaning, direction and spirit. When we visit them thoughtfully, we can experience the presence of those who have been there before us; we can sense something of their spirit.” We are so thankful to Felician Services, Inc., and the Felician Sisters of North America for making this pilgrimage possible.

The view of Lago Trasimeno from Isola Maggiore where we spent a day of solitude.
The view of Lago Trasimeno from Isola Maggiore where we spent a day of solitude.
St. Felix's tomb - The Felician Sisters are named for him.
St. Felix's tomb - The Felician Sisters are named for him.
Barb in St. John Lateran where St. Francis asked Pope Innocent III to allow him to form an Order.
Barb in St. John Lateran where St. Francis asked Pope Innocent III to allow him to form an Order.
Our last day of pilgrimage in front of the Basilica of St. Clare
Our last day of pilgrimage in front of the Basilica of St. Clare
The Basilica of St. Francis
The Basilica of St. Francis
Luke and Barb in a chapel at St. Peter's in Rome where our pilgrimage group had Mass.
Luke and Barb in a chapel at St. Peter's in Rome where our pilgrimage group had Mass.
Our pilgrim group celebrating Christmas dinner in September at a restaurant in Greccio.
Our pilgrim group celebrating Christmas dinner in September at a restaurant in Greccio.
A representation of St. Clare and St. Francis sharing a lunch near the Portiuncula church in Assisi.
A representation of St. Clare and St. Francis sharing a lunch near the Portiuncula church in Assisi.
Luke and Barb in front of the Church of St. Felix in Cantalice.
Luke and Barb in front of the Church of St. Felix in Cantalice.
The view of Lago Trasimeno from Isola Maggiore where we spent a day of solitude.
The view of Lago Trasimeno from Isola Maggiore where we spent a day of solitude.
St. Felix's tomb - The Felician Sisters are named for him.
St. Felix's tomb - The Felician Sisters are named for him.
Barb in St. John Lateran where St. Francis asked Pope Innocent III to allow him to form an Order.
Barb in St. John Lateran where St. Francis asked Pope Innocent III to allow him to form an Order.
Our last day of pilgrimage in front of the Basilica of St. Clare
Our last day of pilgrimage in front of the Basilica of St. Clare
The Basilica of St. Francis
The Basilica of St. Francis
Luke and Barb in a chapel at St. Peter's in Rome where our pilgrimage group had Mass.
Luke and Barb in a chapel at St. Peter's in Rome where our pilgrimage group had Mass.
Our pilgrim group celebrating Christmas dinner in September at a restaurant in Greccio.
Our pilgrim group celebrating Christmas dinner in September at a restaurant in Greccio.
A representation of St. Clare and St. Francis sharing a lunch near the Portiuncula church in Assisi.
A representation of St. Clare and St. Francis sharing a lunch near the Portiuncula church in Assisi.
Luke and Barb in front of the Church of St. Felix in Cantalice.
Luke and Barb in front of the Church of St. Felix in Cantalice.

Pilgrimage

Pilgrimage

Pilgrimage

Pilgrimage

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