A Few Openings Remain for Pilgrimage to Assisi, Italy (Sept 25 – Oct 1, 2022)

Journey with Rev. Paige Getty from Sept 25 – Oct 1, 2022, on a spiritual pilgrimage to Assisi, walking in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology and the environment. Drawing inspiration from Francis’ life and ministry, as well as from the Umbrian countryside that he considered sacred, we will reflect on our connection to the Earth, to one another and to our own souls. Walking pilgrimage is a spiritual practice that encourages deep reflection on our life journey. As we walk through the beautiful Italian landscape, we will also explore the inner terrain of our hearts and souls with the help of daily readings, questions, spiritual practices, and group reflection every evening before dinner. Pilgrimage is a practice well-suited to those who find themselves at an inflection point in their lives and who wish to explore where’s life journey may lead them next.

Rev. Paige will lead the pilgrimage alongside her colleague the Rev. Rob Hardies, who has led UU congregations on pilgrimages for nearly twenty years, traveling to locations on three continents. Both Rev. Paige and Rev. Hardies have a personal connection to this region of Italy and are eager to share their knowledge of Italian culture, Franciscan spirituality, as well as the spiritual practice of pilgrimage.

Itinerary

• Day 1: After arrival in Spoleto, we have time to explore one of Umbria’s finest hilltop towns. The focal point is the fan-shaped Piazza del Duomo, site of the magnificent 12th century cathedral.
• Day 2: Today is a ring walk in the hills above Spoleto, with views down the Val di Spoleto as far as Assisi. We will visit Monteluco, the sacred mountaintop grove where St. Francis founded a monastery. (10 km; 6.2 miles)
• Day 3: We begin the day with a transfer to the village of Trevi in the wine country surrounding Montefalco. From here we continue on foot through the vineyards and olive groves to Montefalco, where a famous fresco series by Benozzo Gozzoli depicts the life of St. Francis. (12km; 7.5 miles)
• Day 4: Today’s walk brings us to Bevagna, an ancient Roman settlement famous for the curative qualities of the local waters. (8 km; 5 miles)
• Day 5: Today we walk from the Abbey of San Benedetto to the Hermitage of the Carceri and several other important Franciscan sites in the forests above Assisi, continuing from here down into Assisi itself. (12km; 7.5 miles)
• Day 6: Walking out of Assisi, we enjoy a ring walk taking us to Santa Maria degli Angeli, where the Franciscan movement was born. (9 km; 5.5 miles)
• Day 7: From Assisi we can easily reach Rome or Florence by train, or Siena by bus.

Additional Details

Details of the trip include:

• A five-day, six-night walking pilgrimage to Assisi, Sept 25 – Oct 1, 2022
• Double occupancy accommodations for six nights with en-suite facilities. (Single room upgrades will be available for an additional cost.)
• Breakfast each day.
• A celebratory dinner on the last night of the pilgrimage.
• Door-to-door daily luggage transfer (1 item per person), so we can walk with only day packs.
• Detailed maps and route descriptions, and several mobile phones with GPS capacity.
• Two transfers: from Spoleto to Trevi, and Bevagna to Eremo delle Carceri
• Two guides (Revs. Paige and Rob) who will accompany our group every step of the journey, guiding our spiritual reflections and coordinating logistics.
• Several sessions of spiritual (and physical!) preparation before the pilgrimage, including practice walks, setting our personal intentions for the journey, and background reading on St. Francis and the spiritual practice of pilgrimage.
• Daily reflection questions, readings, and practices to spiritually focus each day of our pilgrimage.
• Group reflection/sharing time facilitated by the ministers every evening before dinner.

What you will need to provide:

• Your cost of travel (including airfare and transfers) to the beginning of the pilgrimage and back from the end of it.
• Lunches and dinners on your own (except as noted).
• We’ll provide more information on these costs at the orientation session.

Interested? Need more information?

Please email Rev. Hardies as soon as you can: rhardies@gmail.com.