Youth Toward Assisi Pilgrimage - August 2-9, 2009

About 1000 young people and friars from around the world have arrived in Assisi, Italy for their Youth Toward Assisi Pilgrimage. One of the North American pilgrims - Rachel Nazareth - has written a reflection in her blog on what it means to be a pilgrim. She points out that pilgrims travel to their destinations in search for spiritual change.

August 2, 2009

Today, Sunday, pilgrims from all over the world streamed into Assisi where they will be living for the next seven days. Housed at the lush Fontemaggio campground - which itself is within Monte Subasio Park - the pilgrims will be within walking distance from Assisi's key spiritual sites.

The Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Assisi, Italy

At 7 pm - after settling in - all pilgrims including the friars who came with them gathered at the Piazza San Francesco for their first meal together. Here they had an opportunity to establish relationships that might last a lifetime.

Pilgrims

After the meal, Friar Antonello Fanelli led all pilgrims in a prayer vigil in the Lower Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi.

August 3, 2009

The theme for today was "What do you want me to do, Lord?".

After an early breakfast (at 7 am), pilgrims prayed together and then gathered in groups (according to their languages) to reflect on and discuss the day's theme.

The Church of San Damiano

In the afternoon - heartened by an early dinner - they did what pilgrims have been doing for thousands of years. They gathered together and walked first to the Church of San Damiano and then to the Basilica of St. Clare. The Church of San Damiano is important to all Franciscans because it was here that Jesus Christ asked Francis of Assisi from a cross to rebuild his church. This cross now hangs inside the Basilica of St. Clare where Clare herself is also buried.

The Basilica of St. Clare

Late this evening, pilgrims had the opportunity for personal prayer at the Tomb of St. Francis. Individual prayer and time for reflection in a solemn place - like at the Tomb of St. Francis - is an important part of the pilgrimage experience.

August 4, 2009

Pilgrims from Poland during their meal time

The pilgrims spent most of today at the Sanctuary of Rivotorto - a few miles from Assisi. Rivotorto figures highly in Franciscan history because it was here that Francis and his companions settled after Pope Innocent III verbally approved their way of life in 1209. Besides listening to a presentation on the sanctuary, the pilgrims also celebrated Mass here and had personal time, which they spent on prayer and reflection.

Rivotorto

August 5, 2009

The pilgrims left Assisi early this morning

Rising at an early 6 am, the pilgrims were all very excited this morning. After breakfast they boarded buses in Assisi and travelled to Rome (and Vatican City) for an audience with His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. The audience touched on that day's theme - "The Lord Pope approved my way of life."

Country road outside of Assisi

Exactly 800 years ago this year, Francis of Assisi and his followers also ventured to Rome to see the pope of the time - Innocent III - who verbally approved their way of life. The quoted theme of the day comes directly from Francis' mouth.

St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City

Eleven hours after starting their exciting day - with a sacked lunch squeezed into it - the pilgrims boarded their buses again and headed back to Assisi - which is more than two hours away from Rome. Their souls were no doubt energized by the audience with Pope Benedict.

Pope Benedict XVI

August 6, 2009

The Porta San Giacomo -

not far from the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi

The pilgrims spent today in Assisi. After breakfast they participated in the morning prayer and then listened to a presentation on "The Lord gave me the grace to work". The presentation gave the pilgrims a lot of food for thought, which came in useful during the several hours of workshops that followed in the Sacro Convento.

One of several routes to the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi

Later in the evening everyone gathered in the Upper Basilica for Mass. The sense of fraternity continued as Mass ended and the pilgrims returned to their accommodations. They gathered again at 8 pm for their last meal of the day and more conversation, which included stories of the various pilgrims' experiences in evangelizing.

Assisi has many inclines because it sits on the side of Mount Subasio

Pilgrims

Mass in the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi

August 7, 2009

Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, Assisi, Italy

The Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels is four miles downhill from Assisi. It sits in the Umbrian Valley and can be seen from many a window in Assisi. It is to this basilica that the pilgrims travelled today in the afternoon. During their time here, they learned about the Sacrament of Reconciliation and then went to Confession. Mass and an evening meal followed.

Across the piazza from the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels

The Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels is renowned as the home of the Porziuncola Chapel, which is located inside the basilica. This small unassuming building was a very important home to the early Franciscans. Given to Francis by the Benedictines in 1210, the Porziuncola calmed him down. Francis also saw angels at the Porziuncola.

The Porziuncola

Many other important events took place at the Poziuncola. In 1212, St. Clare came here first after deciding that she wanted to live a Franciscan life. Nine years later, 5,000 friars congregated around the Porziuncola in the famous Chapter of Mats. And finally, Francis' earthly life ended at the Porziuncola on October 3, 1226.

Pilgrims resting in Assisi

August 8 and 9, 2009

The carceri

There is no stopping time. The final weekend of the Youth Toward Assisi pilgrimage arrived very quickly. On the Saturday, however, the pilgrims managed to walk to the carceri above the city of Assisi. Francis began visiting the carceri - which at his time was simply a cave - around 1205. He prayed here with all his might.

Friar Marco Tasca

On Sunday, the minister general of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual - Friar Marco Tasca - celebrated Mass with the pilgrims in the Upper Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. The celebration was a send-off for the pilgrims to return to their countries and continue to follow the example of Francis of Assisi.

Official website: Youth Toward Assisi.