A Journey to Assisi  

Conventual Franciscans from North America on retreat in Assisi, Italy

Franciscans all around the world dream of visiting Assisi – the small village in Italy’s Umbria region where Saints Francis and Clare heard their calls from God.

The Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Assisi

Recently several Conventual Franciscan friars had the opportunity to journey to Assisi on a retreat. They stayed in Casa Papa Giovanni on Via San Paolo and met many friars who live at the Sacro Convento. With ideal spring weather, the North American friars had many opportunities to wander the streets of Assisi, much the same as Francis and Clare had done so many centuries before. And that’s what visiting Assisi is all about – spending time in fraternity with one’s brothers, praying, reflecting, and imbibing the presence of Francis and Clare.

Friar Peter Damian Massengill

When their time in Assisi ended, the North American friars travelled south to Rome to further develop their spirituality. In Rome, Friar Peter Damian Massengill who is the guardian of the Friary of the 12 Holy Apostles guided the North American retreatant-friars on their continuing spiritual adventure.

(Sources of all related images on webapge and homepage: Conventual Franciscan Friars Immaculate Conception Province Provincialgram, www.franciscans.org, and http://www2.ofmconv.pcn.net/en/.)