His Franciscan retreat, Live the Questions: A Journey with Francis and Clare, was offered four times between 2013-2018. Your flight is not included and participants will be responsible to book their own flights and arrive on time. Viterbo, founded by the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, has always been a Franciscan institution. Please Note: In the event that COVID or any other pandemic makes traveling to Italy inadvisable in 2024, any payments made toward the pilgrimage will be refunded in full. On Oct. 3 in the year of Our Lord 2020, Pope Francis made a pilgrimage to Assisi to celebrate a Mass at the tomb of St. Francis and immediately afterward signed his encyclical Fratelli Tutti on social friendship and care of our common home. He has been a journalist for more than 20 years and has travelled the world full time since 2011. That audience proved especially impactful for Jenny Hedrick-Erickson, interim assistant dean of Viterbos College of Nursing and Health. One of the big takeaways for me came when our guides talked about fraternitas, that cooperation followers of Francis had, said Growt, who has worked for Viterbo for 30 years. Group reflection, dinner and social beginning at 5:30pm. DAY 2: ARRIVE ROME / ASSISI We arrive in Rome and are met by our experienced tour manager who will accompany us throughout our journey. She was only in Assisi for two hours, and part of that time she was lost, but she was thoroughly enchanted. The application for the May 2023 Assisi Pilgrimage is now open! A Medieval sarcophagus lies to the right of the entrance. We are a welcoming community collaborating with others to be a blessing in the world. Franciscan Foundation for the Holy Land P.O. In the spirit of balancing activity with contemplation, the Wednesdays of each of the two pilgrimage weeks are free days. The Franciscan Tradition. Mass with Friar Michael later that morning in the Chapel of Peace at the Basilica. Pilgrimage to Rome & Assisi. Franciscan Spirit Blog. Everybody was just so much more talkative.. On Sunday, October 30, 2022, the community blessed and sent forth 18 pilgrims on a 10-day pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome, Italy. He found a lot of comfort in nature.. 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. Your gift is fully tax deductible to the extent of the law. In 2019, Paul led Through Beginners Eyes, a photography retreat to foster new ways of seeing the world and encourage greater creativity in photo making. It is here that St. Francis persuaded Pope Innocent III to give permission to begin the Franciscan Order. Dinner is at our hotel. Its magical to be there, Sr. Laura said. Ken Butigan is a strategist and consultant for Campaign Nonviolence. Soc. This morning we meet our local guide at the Piazza near St. Clare's Church and take taxis up the winding road (buses cannot make these sharp turns) to the Eremo delle Carceri (Hermitage), secluded some 2 1/2 miles outside the town of Assisi. Over the years, he has worked for Franciscans International at the United Nations as director of the New York office and Americas program, and for the Franciscan Action Network as a board member. Something to consider: We recommend arriving early to Assisi. Register today for Pilgrimage A or BOr both, with Pilgrimage C. We encounter Francis and Clarethrough their life experiences andwritings, with visits (by way of walkingor taxi, with fare included) to Assisismajor sacred sites, including: During this week, you are immersed inthe rich Franciscan history of Assisi,connecting the lived experiences ofFrancis and Clare with the major sacredsites throughout the ancient city. He is delighted to collaborate again with PaulKimmerling, for all of the reasons that Paul mentions below! Busfare is included. Hardies as soon as you can: rhardies@gmail.com. While no changes are anticipated, there might be occasions when certain alterations become necessary to this itinerary due to changes in airline schedules or for other reasons. Day 3 - Rome - Assisi. 12 Days: St. Paul in Rome, Greece, & Turkey Explore St. Paul in each of these three venues, plus see the classic sites in each locale. Once you have been selected to attend the Assisi Peace and Justice Pilgrimage we will ask you to prepare for the trip by taking extra time to read, pray and journal in the months ahead. Breakfast and dinner will be provided each day at the hotel; lunch is on ones own. Two transfers: from Spoleto to Trevi, and Bevagna to Eremo delle Carceri. May 8 - 18, 2023. We meet our guide and enjoy a walking city sightseeing tour including the Basilica of St. Francis. Scheduled for May 31 to June 10, the pilgrimage will offer participants the chance to visit Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis, and Bagnoregio, the birthplace of St. Bonaventure - as well as Greccio, LaVerna, and Rome. We will also apply a portion of the funds towards a carbon offset program to alleviate the carbon emissions from flights and other transportation that are required for this pilgrimage. We also encourage all participants to join or organize at least one event during the Campaign Nonviolence Action Days as active nonviolent public preparation for this private pilgrimage and retreat to Assisi. 10 Days: A Franciscan Pilgrimage To Assisi & Rome Home Catholic Tours Itinerary DAY 1: DEPART We depart for Rome. IVA/C.F. Listen to their stories. Itinerary with stages: the Pilgrimage in a few words. Theres a distinction between a pilgrimage and a tour, said Sr. Laura, who leads student pilgrimages every two years. We make our way to the Catacombs of St. Calixtus. Meditate. You can learn about Francis and Clare from reading, but a pilgrimage gives you such a deep sense of who they were.. To see samples of his work, you can follow him onInstagramorFacebook. This is a regular meeting of the Worship Steering Committee. Well provide more information on these costs at the orientation session. Cost for the pilgrimage is $3100 per person. Franciscan Farewell On Sunday, October 30, 2022, the community blessed and sent forth 18 pilgrims on a 10-day pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome, Italy. Brynne Turner October 22, 2018 Comment. St. Francis of Assisi is the first person recorded who received the stigmata. Emily Dykman, a 1998 Viterbo graduate who now is an associate professor of religious studies, led the 2022 tour sponsored by the alumni association and found there was a depth to it that transcended sightseeing. Come, join Delores Montpetit and her husband Ken . After that momentous start to her pilgrimage, she found the rest of her journey inspiring, even lifechanging. Francis was especially fond of St. Mary of the Angels, the "Little Portion" (aka Portiuncula) - a tiny chapel hidden away in the woods and marshes near Assisi. He is also the director of the Conventual Franciscan website: FranciscanVoice.org. Louie . Sunday, June 23, Registration and check-in at Hotel Giotto from 1-3pm. We will learn the story of his ministry and martyrdom in Rome. 2023 Franciscan Action Network. With Assisi as our base, wemake round-trip day tours by coach. The Assisi, Italy Peace & Justice Pilgrimage. Feel free to rest, walk, shop, or visit other Franciscan sites such as La Verna, Gubbio, or Greccio. . The Religious Formation Conference (RFC) is a national Roman Catholic organization serving religious institutes of women and men with programs and services for those in the ministry of initial and lifelong formation, and general congregational membership. The Franciscan convent of Greccio was built on this spot and the Chapel of the Crib was erected in 1228, the year St. Francis was canonized.We then continue on to Rome. Journey with Rev. 2018 Great Travel Service srl. Those under 18 may also be accepted if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. This trip then will be a retreat time of prayer, personal renewal, and invigorating discussion, a holy pilgrimage in the long tradition of Christian spirituality. The focus was experiencing the culture of the places we visit. . PILGRIMAGE TO ASSISI In the Footsteps of Francis & Clare May 2023 Your Invitation IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF FRANCIS & CLARE is an immersion experience in Assisi, Italy a unique opportunity to contemplate your own spiritual path in companionship with beloved Saints Francis and Clare. Early afternoon we enjoy a guided visit of the Basilica of St. Peter which marks his burial site. The first morning in Rome, the pilgrimage group was to go to the Vatican for the papal audience, but Hedrick-Erickson stayed behind awaiting word on the birth. the pilgrims of this pilgrimage automatically become co-founders! Assisi, Italy. 15. Buffet Breakfast. The Veterans Wellness Pilgrimage to Assisi, Italy, is a 9-day Franciscan pilgrimage where student veterans are given time for reflection, conversation, and leisure and while visiting sacred Franciscan places in Assisi and Rome. We continue with our sightseeing tour, visiting the major sites associated with St. Francis and St. Clare, including the Chiesa Nuova, built atop the childhood home of St. Francis and the Church of St. Clare, St. Francis contemporary and founder of the Order of the Poor Clares. Currently, Paul provides mentorship and spiritual direction for members of the 12-step and LGBTQ+ communities. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. The cost per person for this Young Adult Assisi Pilgrimage is $3,500 and $3,700 for double and single occupancy, respectively. They will carefully walk you through all the traveling details, give you an itinerary with flexibility, provide daily input from the insightful professor Ken Butigan with inspiring masses. Franciscans are really concerned with those who are on the margins. To maintain that atmosphere we request that each person attending be respectful of one another especially during prayer and Mass time and during sessions with Ken and Friar Michael so that we can encourage one another to make this not just a great vacation, but a spiritual pilgrimage into Gospel nonviolence and the footsteps of St. Francis and St. Clare. THE PILGRIMAGE. We visit its Sanctuary renowned as the birthplace of the Christmas crche. Group reflection, dinner and social beginning at 5:30pm, Wednesday, June 26, morning Mass with Friar Michael at St. Clares Basilica. When Francis was only 16, his father helped fund a revolt of the merchant class, prompting a tragic cycle of violence. Lunch and afternoon at our leisure to walk the streets of this medieval town and absorb the spirit of Saints Francis and Clare. Assisi is the birthplace of St. Francis, founder of the Franciscan order and one of the patron saints of the university. Instead of going to a restaurant where everybody goes, wed go to a villa and be welcomed as guests, dining with three generations of the family., Dykman first visited Assisi in 2005 when she chaperoned her congregations World Youth Day visit to Europe. Conrad gave the key to a fellow veteran who saw combat in Afghanistan and was then employed at a Franciscan college in western New York. Discover Assisi like Francis and Clare did - on foot. Set within the thick woodland of mount Subasio, 4 km from Assisi, the Hermitage developed over centuries around the mountains natural caves and the chapel of Santa Maria, where Saint Francis and his first companions settled in isolation to lead a life of austerity and more intense prayer. This May, after a record number of applicants stepped forward, six Viterbo employees will make the journey to Assisi. Dinner will be at the hotel. Walking through the same streets, seeing the same views, breathing the air in the same spaces as St. Francis helps to bring alive his transformed life that transformed the world. Paige and Rob) who will accompany our group every step of the journey, guiding our spiritual reflections and coordinating logistics. Assisi under the Nazis. In 1999 and 2003 Friar Michael ministered in Assisi, Italy at the Basilica of St. Francis as a pilgrim guide. Join Pace e Bene Nonviolence Service and the Franciscan Action Network on a powerful pilgrimage to Assisi, Italy in the summer of 2024 led by Franciscan Friar Michael Lasky and Dr. Ken Butigan.. We then continue to our hotel for dinner and the evening. It is an itinerary on foot, by bicycle and on horseback that links together several "places" that bear witness to the life and preaching of the Saint of Assisi; a "new" pilgrimage route, which intends to reintroduce the Franciscan experience in the lands that the . When St. Francis visited the Vatican back in the 12, The pensione closes at 10 p.m., but many of the veterans dont want to turn in that early, so Fr. Francis certainly seemed to be the leader and the one who was propelling things, but he had a group of people around him who supported him.. An interspiritual pilgrim, Bishop Br. April 18-28, 2023. Join other pilgrims for food and fellowship. We will provide taxis for any pilgrim who needs assistance to each days location. Since completing his military service, Fr. We then continue to Assisi and our hotel. In the woods outside Cortona is a peaceful Franciscan convent called the Convento delle Celle or Convent of the cells . Your cost of travel (including airfare and transfers) to the beginning of the pilgrimage and back from the end of it. Pilgrimage to Santiago and Assisi wined. Saturday, June 29, Presentation at hotel with Ken Butigan on Eremos della Carceri, St. Francis hermitage. After some free time for lunch and self exploration, on the way back to Assisi, we stop and visit the Rivo Torto church containing the hut where St. Francis and his companions sheltered and where he had drawn up the first draft of theRule. : 102.000,00 i.v. A once in a lifetime peace pilgrimage to Spirit filled Assisi with compassionate, vital leaders who have dedicated their whole lives to Peace and Justice , who inspired us, broadened our understanding of nonviolence, changed us and provided one on one help to realize our dreams of promoting nonviolence in our own hometowns. Tara C. Well organized, inspiring and insightful. The news of a healthy delivery of a baby girl came just in time for her to catch up to her fellow pilgrims at St. Peter Square, clutching two rosaries to be blessed by the Pope, one for each of her grandchildren. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Join us for in-person or online worship on Sundays at 10am. 13. Then we will gather for dinner and an evening check-in and prayer. 10 Days: A Pilgrimage Journey to Italy- Siena, Assisi, Florence, Rome, Naples, Pompeii A perfect itinerary for those wanting to stay in southern Italy. Join Pace e Bene Nonviolence Service and the Franciscan Action Network on a powerful pilgrimage to Assisi, Italy in the summer of 2024 led by Franciscan Friar Michael Lasky and Dr. Ken Butigan. Your email address will not be published. I keep reminding myself of that joy, and I stay centered in doing my work with lightheartedness.. Date of stay: October 2018 Day 2 - Arrive Rome. Activity Level. Brian Konkol: Winding Path of Faith Leads to Syracuse, "The Valleys of St. Francis: Discovering Our Viterbo Heritage. Valfabbrica - Assisi Km 16 . Br. Mark is committed to serving those who are sidelined and at risk. Lunches and dinners on your own (except as noted). John Mattras | Franciscan Spirit Tours | 646-861-3634| 646-736-7964 | info@franciscanspirittours.com . He was the son of a prosperous silk merchant who renounced his father's wealth and took the vow of poverty. Learn about the inspirational life of St Francis with guided tours of the Basilica of St Francis, the Porziuncola in Santa Maria degli Angeli, the sanctuary in Greccio and much more. The pilgrims included Sisters, Covenant Companions, Our Lady of the Angels staff, and their spouses. Mark DAlessiois a Franciscan friar in society of the Companions of Francis and Clare. The pilgrimage to Assisi felt like a week in heaven, surrounded by beauty, spirituality, and warm companionship. We then have free time for lunch in the Vatican area. Fr. The pilgrimages are inspired in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, who had great love for God, the world's beauty, and the companionship of others. Franciscan Pilgrimage Explore "The Eternal City" and all the marvels Rome has to offer - even experience a Papal Audience with the Holy Father! Facebook 0 . Check out this ultimate list of the sacred places in Italy that will help you plan your trip. Overnight: Assisi . The Eremo dell Carceri is a sanctuary amidst the forest andcaves where St. Francis spent some of his annual 40-day retreats, and where its saidhe wrote his Rules of Life. A Few Openings Remain for Pilgrimage to Assisi, Italy (Sept 25 Oct 1, 2022), As adults who believe strongly that so-called childrens stories arent just for children, Rev. with Michele Dunne, OFS, Executive Director of the Franciscan Action Network. Im a Junior philosophy major here at Franciscan. Pray in each place. Additional Details. Numerous depictions of them adorn campus hallways and offices, along with representations of the San Damiano cross, before which St. Francis was praying when he heard the voice of God command him to rebuild my church.. Father Conrad has been accompanied on the pilgrimages by co-leader Bill Reese, a Vietnam veteran who was a Viterbo religious studies professor from 1995 to 2018, and a psychologist. Mark with their Unsung Hero Award last year. After this turning point, St. Francis returned to Assisi unable to resume his privileged life. The College offers students two 10-day opportunities to experience pilgrimage to Assisi & Rome. Hes also a spiritual director, bishop, priest, chaplain, retreat leader, author, crisis counselor for the homeless, and past president and executive director ofthe Psychotherapy & Spirituality Institute, which draws together the inspiration of the church with the wisdom of psychological care. The trip really motivated me to look again at how I am living out my values in terms of public activism. In order to lower our carbon emissions due to flights and other transportation, we will also be contributing a portion of your pilgrimage payment toward a carbon offset program for the whole group. Participants would be invited to make this journey not as a sight-seeing trip, but as a pilgrimage to learn how the examples of St. Francis and St. Clare can help us take another step on our own paths of spirituality and action. Finally, we encourage everyone on the pilgrimage to enter the week in Assisi as a week of peace, prayer and pilgrimage. Like the student trip, last years employee pilgrimage started at the Vatican, where pilgrims had some inspiring experiences, including a rare chapel service in St. Peters crypt and an audience with Pope Francis on St. Peter Square. When you go on a tour, youre collecting sites. December 16, 2022 Franciscan Farewell On Sunday, October 30, 2022, the community blessed and sent forth 18 pilgrims on a 10-day pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome, Italy. During this week, you are immersed in the rich Franciscan history of Assisi, connecting the lived experiences of Francis and Clare with the major sacred sites throughout the ancient city. Each pilgrim will arrive at Hotel Giotto in Assisi, Italy by 3 pm on Sunday, June 23 and depart the Hotel Giotto on Sunday morning, June 30. I do a lot of work with students looking at who do we exclude. After our visit we take our taxis and transfer to the Church of San Damiano, a tiny church located outside of the walls of Assisi. Outside of our scheduled activities you are responsible for your own transportation. (Single room upgrades will be available for an additional cost.). Aug. 16, 2015. Group reflection/sharing time facilitated by the ministers every evening before dinner. Ps: as an alternative it is possible to organize a farewell dinner with or without music in a local restaurant. Responding to Pope Francis encouragement for us to hear and respond to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor, in 2019 Friar Michael founded Little Portion Farm in Ellicott City, Maryland. Theres just this energy. You can contact Paul atguildpilgrimageassisi2023@gmail.comor phone or text on WhatsApp in Italy at +39 339 5367058. Group reflection, dinner and social beginning at 5:30pm, Tuesday, June 25, Presentation at the hotel with Ken Butigan on San Damiano. Each pilgrimage week starts with dinner and orientation on Sunday evening with departure on the following Saturday. On November 7th, 8th, and 11th, 2020, they will present a Virtual Pilgrimage to Assisi, at NO COST! The pilgrimage is based at the Domus in the immediate vicinity of the imposing Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, built . The pilgrim Fr. The pilgrimage brings together leaders of various faith traditions form Franciscan colleges and universities across the U.S. to reflect on and learn form the vision and values of saints Francis and Clare of Assisi. Thats the place where it all began. The pilgrim Fr. September 22, 2022 - Assisi to Spello (easier: 13.8km/8.6miles; harder: 17.6km/10.9miles) - The climb on Assisi's Mount Subasio offers spectacular views of the Tiber River Valley. Day 6 - Florence - Siena - Rome. We walk throughthe narrowalleysand the steep slopes of the historical centre to fully enjoy the medieval atmosphere, visit the monumental Church of St. Francis and learn about the legend of St. Francis and Brother Wolf. The Rt. Even though we begin on June 23, if you arrive a day or two early, this will help you acclimate to the time change and overcome jet lag. As a fine art photographer, Paul was a member of the Atlantic Gallery, in Manhattans West Chelsea art district, from 2019-2021. Our Ministries; . Soak up the sun in the piazza with a cappuccino or gelato. Conrad picked was Rick Trietley, now entrusted with leading Viterbo University as its 10th president. The beautiful hometown of St. Francis is one of the most beloved pilgrim sites in all the world. See of Peter; . Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, OFM, better known as Francis of Assisi (Italian: Francesco d'Assisi; c. 1181 - 3 October 1226), was an Italian Catholic friar who founded the Franciscans.He was inspired to lead a life of poverty as an itinerant preacher.One of the most venerated figures in Christianity, he was canonized by Pope Gregory IX on 16 July 1228. di Roma 844/92, 10 Days: A Franciscan Pilgrimage to Italy- Assisi, Rivo Torto, Greccio, Montecasale & more. (Subject to change a final itinerary will be sent to those accepted before the trip ). Every two years she leads a group of 20 Viterbo students on an eight-day trip to Italy, including a pilgrimage to Assisi. Rob Hardies, who has led UU congregations on pilgrimages for nearly twenty years, traveling to locations on three continents. The relics of Saint Francis are still to be found in this beautiful basilica, formerly known as the Papal Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi. Fr. . A tourist wont pay any attention to them. The pensione closes at 10 p.m., but many of the veterans dont want to turn in that early, so Fr. The group spent 7-days in and around Assisi, visiting the holy places connected to the lives of St. Francis and Saint Clare, growing deeper each day in love with Franciscan spirituality, and creating a bond with one another. FROM $3,999. Day 6: Walking out of Assisi, we enjoy a ring walk taking us to Santa Maria degli Angeli, where the Franciscan movement was born. Looking for ideas for the Italy pilgrimage? Day 7- Rome. Walking pilgrimage is a spiritual practice that encourages deep reflection on our life journey. He is a member of the Province of St. John the Baptist (Cincinnati, Ohio) of the Order of Friars Minor and citizen of Canada. Allowing after-hours activities illustrates Fr. According to legend, it was here that St. Francis first heard the voice of God telling him to rebuild his church. He also wrote his famous Canticle of the Creatures in this place. My jaw just dropped. If you do not have one, we encourage interested pilgrims to apply for your passport as soon as we have accepted your application. Since 2003, the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity Sponsored Ministries has taken select leaders and associates on pilgrimages to Assisi and Rome. Wednesdays are completely unscheduled please do as you wish! 10 Days: A Franciscan Pilgrimage to Italy- Assisi, Rivo Torto, Greccio, Montecasale & more | Catholic Pilgrimage DAY 1: DEPART We depart for Rome. The final three days were spent visiting holy sites in Rome, and a marvelous lunch, prayer service, and photo opportunity at the Generalate, the general headquarters for our international congregation. Assisi and Rome April 18-27, 2023 With Fr. Overnight. Box 321490 Franklin, WI 53132-6231 Tel: 414.427.0570 Fax: 414.427.0590 www.franciscanpilgrimages.com infofpp@thefranciscans.net RD 11/27/2019 NOTES Franciscan Pilgrim ProgramsGeneral InformationPage 1 Conrad has found a lot of comfort in Assisi, helping other veterans, including many military-aligned students sponsored by Viterbo, find comfort by leading them on pilgrimages to Assisi. Louie . Join Franciscan University Pilgrimages as we visit destinations throughout the world where faith is strengthened, spirits are encouraged, and souls are renewed. You will be inspired by the participants and the significant historical site. Lynn S. The Assisi Pilgrimage has inspired me to continue Francis and Clares journey of nonviolence and peace in my journey of working for peace and justice in our chaotic world. Ellie V. Friar Michael Lasky is a Franciscan Friar Conventual currently living in Rome, Italy. Franciscan Pilgrim Programs General Information - Page 32 Booklet www.franciscanpilgrimages.com Franciscan Pilgrimage Programs P.O. Lunch and afternoon free. Franciscan University of Steubenville is no ordinary university, and a Franciscan education is no ordinary education. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "abb9a4417eb5e82f0307c5c4940358eb" );document.getElementById("b7fc57970f").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Your email address will not be published. The Viterbo University Alumni Association has sponsored Italian heritage tours that included visits to Assisiwith another one planned for October 2023 to be led by Fr. You will go via Assisi, the home of the saint, and end in the classic and Eternal City of Rome. Pilgrimage; Giving; Donate; Give Monthly; Search; Contact. Technical guide of the pilgrimage The visual signs of Viterbo Universitys Franciscan heritage are hard to miss. Overnight. The St. Rose Convent, home to the FSPA, still feels like its part of the Viterbo campus, but today Sr. Laura is the only FSPA member on the universitys staff. When we visit the battlefield where Francis was taken prisoner, the veterans fall to their knees, Fr. Its hard to deny that its a place that has some spiritual power. From our base in Assisi, you will venture toother cities in Umbria and beyond that echo with significant Franciscan history, legends, and miracles including Greccio where Francis enacted the first living Nativity, and La Verna where Francis received the stigmata. But it is above all the place where, on 17 September 1224, the feast of the exaltation of the cross, Francis receives the Stigmata. Two guides (Revs. The Circle is dedicated to developing leaders for thoughtful social action and spiritual care. Please email Rev. WEDNESDAY WORKSHOP CONTEMPLATIVE PHOTOGRAPHYLed by Paul Kimmerling. Food, service and views. The JPIC Office endeavors to look at the most significant social and environmental justice issues of our time and discerns how we can best respond. In doing so, you can call forth what is deepest within you and begin to express that outwardly, within and around the medieval city of Assisi. Required fields are marked *. Conrad, who wrestles with PTSD himself because of his Iraq War combat experiences in Fallujah as a military chaplain. Michele Dunne, Executive Director of the Franciscan Action Network will join Friar Michael and Dr. Butigan in this once-in-a-lifetime experienceand we hope you will too! We will also admire the Michelangelos Pieta, the Berninis baldachin located over the high altar of the Basilica, the Altar of the Chair and the tomb of Pope John Paul II.