A Franciscan Retreat in Smithfield, North Carolina

Participants in the La Experiencia Alvernia  

In his ministry as vocation director, Friar Michael Lorentsen often leads retreats for people of all ages and from all backgrounds. Most recently, Friar Michael traveled down to Smithfield, North Carolina from his home in upstate New York to act as spiritual director for La Experiencia Alvernia – a retreat for Spanish-speaking young adults. The focus in the retreat centered on Francis of Assisi's experience on Mount La Verna (or Alvernia) in Tuscany. It was on Mount La Verna that Francis received the stigmata.

Smithfield, North Carolina  

A total of 63 people attended La Experiencia Alvernia. Two of them are even discerning vocations with the Conventual Franciscans. On top of that, 26 other people were involved in making La Experiencia Alvernia a reality.

La Verna, Tuscany, Italy