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.