All rising sophomores and juniors at St. Francis College have the opportunity to apply for the Student Franciscan Pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome and other places associated with St. Francis and St. Clare.
The College offers students two 10-day opportunities to experience pilgrimage to Assisi & Rome. One takes place during the College’s winter break and includes a New Year’s Eve celebration in Assisi; while other takes place in late May. This second pilgrimage is a 3 credit course that begins online each March prior to the trip.
These pilgrimages offer the opportunity to learn more about our Franciscan values and traditions. The pilgrimage begins in Rome, where for three days we will visit major religious and historic churches and monuments. Then we travel to the town of Greccio to visit the place where St. Francis began the tradition of the Christmas crèche. From there we go to Assisi and spend the next six days in the town where St. Clare & St. Francis were born and began their joyful and radical response to the Gospel teachings. These unique experiences afford students time for prayer, reflection and spiritual growth while learning about St. Francis and St. Clare as well as a deepening of their own relationship with God, family, society, and all of creation. The dates of the next winter pilgrimage are December 27, 2021 to January 6, 2022. The dates for next spring pilgrimage for credit have yet to be determined but interested students can email Dr. Egler in the Mission, Ministry & Interfaith Dialogue Office for information.
Participants travel and spend time with students from other Franciscan Colleges and Universities under the guidance of pilgrimage staff.
-
Winter Pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome
-
May Pilgrimage for Credit
-
Franciscan Pilgrimage, Spain
-
Pilgrimage for SFC employees
Winter Pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome
Three students are chosen every spring to participate in the pilgrimage. Eligibility for the pilgrimage requires an application which includes a written essay from each interested applicant. Students must be enrolled full-time at the College and will be a full-time student at the time of the pilgrimage as well as for the following spring semester, with no outstanding fees on their accounts. The essay should include reasons why the student would like to make the pilgrimage, how he/she thinks it would impact his/her life, what the applicant hopes to gain, what the applicant believes he/she brings to the pilgrimage and what the student hopes to bring back to share with the SFC community. All full-time students who will be sophomores or juniors at the time of the pilgrimage, regardless of religious affiliation or race, are encouraged to apply.
Applications will be due in the Spring of 2021, please watch for upcoming email announcements. The student need not be an American citizen to apply but must hold a valid passport and obtain all necessary visa materials for travel to Italy.
If an application/essay meets all the requirements and is chosen to represent St. Francis College, the student is responsible for $1000.00 towards the cost of the pilgrimage as well as his/her personal expenses, and approximately 5 meals. This contribution of $1000.00 will be due by in early September 2021. All other outstanding expenses, including airfare, lodging, tips, ground transportation are provided by the College. If a student is not chosen for the available scholarship, or is a rising junior or senior and wishes to participate in the pilgrimage, he or she may do so at their own expense.
Maeve Conlon 21' - Adolescent Education with Concentration in History
"The Study Abroad Course “In the Footsteps of St. Francis and St. Clare” allowed me to truly understand their lives as well as what it means to be a Franciscan. Through the course we explored various historical and religious sites and were guided with amazing facts and details about the significance of each place we visited. From having an audience with Pope Francis and touring the St. Peter’s Basilica, to the wonderful town of Assisi. "
May Pilgrimage for Credit
This opportunity is offered to any student enrolled at St. Francis College or other institutions interested in earning 3 credits for a mini study abroad experience. Work begins in March with online and in person meetings. Prior to departure a brief reflection paper will be due as well as discussions through Canvas. Students will be required to attend lectures and submit assignments while in Italy and a capstone paper will be required upon return.
Franciscan Pilgrimage, Spain
This class will explore and integrate an understanding of pilgrimage as an ancient and intentional journey to a sacred site as practiced within the Christian Tradition.
The Camino de Santiago is the traditional pilgrimage route from France across northwestern Spain to Santiago de Compostela, the legendary burial site of St. James the Apostle. Tradition tells us that St. Francis of Assisi walked the Camino de Santiago which is why this pilgrimage is central to the Franciscan tradition. One of the great medieval pilgrimages and the greatest surviving itinerary for medieval monuments, the landscapes have enjoyed a remarkable revival in recent years attracting European Union sponsors, the attention of media stars and hundreds of thousands of pilgrims.
There will be some preparatory classes during the spring semester but the bulk of the courses will take place over seventeen days as students and accompanying faculty members journey as pilgrims along the ancient route of the Camino de Santiago, arriving in Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain. Students who sign up for this class must be able to commit to walking approximately 15 miles a day while carrying a 15-18 lb backpack.
Pilgrimage for SFC employees
There is also a pilgrimage opportunity for employees of St. Francis College. All full-time employees who will have completed three years of employment are encouraged to apply for the Franciscan Leadership Pilgrimage. Please use the contact information below to request more information.
For more information on these opportunities please contact
Alexandria M. Egler, PhD:
Executive Director, St. Clare Lounge
[email protected]
718.489.5245