Walking Where Francis Walked

For much of the Saint Francis University community, the Franciscan tradition is woven into daily life. It shapes the University's mission, guides its values, and inspires its commitment to faith, service, humility, and compassion. Yet the places where that tradition began can feel distant and abstract until pilgrims walk the streets of Assisi and Rome, pray in the churches where St. Francis and St. Clare once worshiped, and encounter firsthand the people and places that continue to inspire generations around the world. That opportunity is made possible through through Saint Francis University's Assisi and Rome Pilgrimage, an immersive journey through Italy that invites participants to deepen their connection to the University's heritage while building meaningful relationships with fellow members of the campus community. In May 2026, a new group of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friars traveled to Assisi, Gubbio, La Verna, Greccio, and Rome as part of the University's fourth endowment-funded pilgrimage.

Bringing Mission to Life

At Saint Francis University, mission is not simply something displayed on a wall, it is something meant to be lived. Through prayer, reflection, conversation, and shared experiences, pilgrims explore what it means to embrace lives marked by humility, service, care for creation, and peace. Along the way, they are invited to consider how these values can shape their own relationships, work, and sense of purpose. As participants encounter the stories of St. Francis and St. Clare in the places where they lived and served, they gain a deeper appreciation for the Franciscan spirit that continues to shape the University today. Standing before the Basilica of St. Francis, praying in the Porziuncola, or walking the streets of Assisi allows history to come alive in a powerful and personal way. What once seemed distant becomes tangible and relevant, helping pilgrims see more clearly how the Franciscan tradition continues to inspire and guide the Saint Francis community. For many, the pilgrimage becomes more than an opportunity to learn about the University's heritage, it becomes an invitation to reflect on how they are called to carry that heritage forward in their own lives.

Walking in the Footsteps of St. Francis and St. Clare

The pilgrimage takes participants to some of the most significant locations in Franciscan history. In Assisi, pilgrims visit the Basilica of St. Francis, the Basilica of St. Clare, the Cathedral of San Rufino, and the Porziuncola, the small chapel where the Franciscan movement took root. The journey also includes Gubbio, where pilgrims reflect on the story of Francis and the Wolf (which inspired our new mascot); La Verna, where St. Francis received the stigmata; and Greccio, where he created the first Nativity scene. The pilgrimage concludes in Rome, where participants visit some of Christianity's most important churches and sacred sites, including the Basilicas of St. Peter, St. Mary Major, St. John Lateran, and St. Paul Outside the Walls. On the final day of the pilgrimage, the group attends a General Audience with Pope Leo XIV before touring the Basilica of SS. Cosmas and Damian, the motherhouse of the Third Order Regular friars worldwide. Together, these experiences provide a broader understanding of the Church's history, mission, and global reach. While the destinations themselves are remarkable, participants often find the most meaningful moments in the spaces between scheduled activities: conversations over meals, shared laughter on long walks, moments of quiet prayer, and reflections exchanged among fellow pilgrims.

Building Community Across Campus

One of the most distinctive aspects of the Franciscan Pilgrimage is the diversity of its participants. Students, faculty, staff, administrators, alumni, and friars travel together, creating opportunities for relationships that might never have formed on campus. This year's pilgrimage was led by Ms. Leona Horner ('14), Fr. Stephen Mary Waruszewski, T.O.R., and Fr. William Shee, T.O.R. ('17). The participants included Alta Via students Lydia Anderson, Maddie Bachar, Isabelle Branecky, Anna Defazio, Tanner Mona, Catherine Pivarunas, Andrew Stewart, Delaney Urban, and Josie VanAlstine; faculty and staff members Rebecca Cacciotti (Career Services), Dr. Sherri Link (Division of Professional Studies, '09), Jeremy Mattes (Physical Plant), Melita O'Donnell (Academic Affairs), Jacob Taylor (Registrar's Office, '09), and Dr. Camille Wendekier (Nursing, '88); and trustees Mark and Susan Harabedian ('82). As pilgrims shared stories, experiences, and perspectives, a unique community emerged, one that bridged generations, professions, and backgrounds. The connections formed during the pilgrimage often continue long after the group returns home, enriching campus life through friendship, mentorship, and collaboration.

Transforming Lives and Community

Since the launch of the pilgrimage program, dozens of members of the Saint Francis community have experienced the Franciscan heart of Italy firsthand. What began as a vision to deepen engagement with the University's heritage has become one of the most meaningful opportunities for formation and connection across campus.

By the Numbers

• 4 Endowment-Funded Pilgrimages
• 79 Total Pilgrims
• 28 Students
• 33 Faculty, Staff, and Administrators

Yet statistics tell only part of the story. The true impact is found in the lives touched, the perspectives broadened, the faith strengthened, and the sense of community that participants carry with them long after returning home.

Making the Journey Possible

The Pilgrimage is made possible through the extraordinary generosity of a donor whose vision established an endowment to support this transformative experience for members of the Saint Francis University community. Unlike a one-time gift, an endowment provides ongoing support year after year, ensuring that future generations of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friars can encounter the places where the Franciscan story began and experience firsthand the spirituality, history, and values that continue to shape the University today. Through this generosity, pilgrims are able to walk the streets of Assisi, pray in sacred spaces that have inspired countless generations, and deepen their understanding of the Franciscan tradition at the heart of Saint Francis University. For many, the experience becomes a catalyst for personal growth, strengthening their connection to the University's mission and inspiring them to live out Franciscan values with renewed purpose. The impact of this gift extends far beyond the days spent in Italy. It can be seen in the friendships formed, the conversations sparked across campus, and the renewed commitment to service, faith, and community that participants bring back to their classrooms, offices, residence halls, and communities. In this way, the generosity of a single donor continues to touch countless lives, creating opportunities for reflection, growth, and connection long after the journey ends. The pilgrimage also serves as a powerful reminder of the lasting impact philanthropy can have. Gifts to Saint Francis University help create transformative opportunities, strengthen the University's mission, and ensure that future generations can continue to learn, grow, and be inspired by the Franciscan spirit that has guided the institution for nearly 180 years.

A Journey That Continues

The Franciscan Pilgrimage is much more than a trip to Italy. It is an invitation to encounter the places that shaped St. Francis and St. Clare, build meaningful relationships, and reflect on how Franciscan values can guide our lives today. While the journey begins in Assisi, Gubbio, La Verna, Greccio, and Rome, its impact continues long after participants return to Loretto. Pilgrims come home with a deeper appreciation for the University's Franciscan heritage, a stronger connection to one another, and a renewed commitment to carrying that spirit into their daily lives. For those who have traveled, the pilgrimage becomes more than a cherished memory. It becomes part of their Saint Francis story, a journey that continues long after the flight home.