The life of Saint Francis of Assisi is one of the most remarkable of the last 2,000 years.

We are planning to run a pilgrimage/retreat to Assisi from 21^st to 25th September 2026. The programme will run over 5 full days with arrival during the previous day (Sunday 20^th) and departure on Saturday 26th after breakfast following the last of the 5 days. Guests will make their own travel arrangements to Assisi, arriving in time for supper on Sunday 20th. We’ll stay for 6 nights at San Giuseppe Monastery in the old city with magnificent views across the Umbrian countryside. Breakfast and evening meal will be included in the cost and we’ll find places to eat out at lunchtime and stop occasionally to sample gelato!

The programme will follow in a broadly chronological order the principal events of Francis’s life and also weave in some of the amazing life of his companion, Clare.  Each day we will visit some key sites in and around Assisi, spending some time together at each place and leaving plenty of time for private prayer, contemplation and wandering. We’ll also explore a key theme of Francis’ life relevant to the day’s itinerary and how these have become key elements of Franciscan spirituality.

There will be a rhythm of communal prayer and reflection to the five days so that we can share experiences and learn from each other. Before breakfast there will be a short time of meditation. After breakfast each day we will meet together for a time of prayer, reflection and an introduction to the day’s visits and theme. After supper we will meet again for another short time of prayer to help us reflect on the experiences of the day.

Draft Itinerary

Day 1: The early years. Theme: Passion – living and serving wholeheartedly

We’ll stay in and close to Assisi today walking together through the early formative years of Francis’s life and ministry and how Clare came to join him. We’ll visit Francis’s childhood home, the cathedral in which he and Clare were baptised, the place where Francis stripped and renounced his old life. After lunch we’ll walk out of the city to San Damiano where Francis heard the Lord’s call to rebuild the Church and the place that became the home for St Clare and her community. On the way back into Assisi we’ll visit the Basilica Santa Chiara where the famous San Damiano cross from which Christ spoke to Francis, is now displayed. Through this we’ll explore and reflect together on Francis and Clare’s uncompromising and wholehearted following of the way of Jesus.

Day 2: Time away.  Theme: Stillness and contemplation

Today we’ll be driven about two hours south of Assisi in a coach to Greccio, a beautiful monastery that was the site of the first nativity play. In the afternoon we’ll visit Poggio Bustone where Francis received divine forgiveness and the mission to spread peace. We’ll walk 30 minutes into the woods and visit the cave where this occurred as well as the Convent of St James, the temple of peace and the Porta del Buon Giorno where Francis greeted the villagers on arrival.

Through the day we’ll be both reflecting on and experiencing the essential habits of solitude and contemplation which were the underpinning of Francis and Clare’s lives and ministry.

Day 3: Building a movement.  Theme: Community and Simplicity

Today we’ll be revisiting how in a few short years, Francis went from a lone pilgrim to being the head of a new order of many thousands of Friars Minor. We’ll walk or take taxis down into the valley to the Portiuncula church of St Francis which is now enshrined within the Basilica of St Mary and the Angels. This was one of the churches that he restored and it was here, in what was a wooded valley, that Francis set up a camp that became the HQ of the Order. It was here on Palm Sunday 1211 that Francis received Clare into his company and dedicated her to the Lord. He died here in a poor cell just yards from this site. The afternoon will be free from organised visits for you to explore other sites around Assisi or just have a long siesta!

Francis quickly attracted a group of young men drawn by his example of faith, poverty and service. They became a close knit community, sharing an uncomplicated way of life. We’ll reflect through the day on our need for and attitude to community and the theme of simplicity in our way of life.

Day 4: Nearing the end.  Theme: Suffering and Union

We’ll be driven 90 minutes north of Assisi to visit Monte Alverna – the mountain Francis was given as a place of prayer and withdrawal. It was here in the last years of his life where he prayed to enter into Christ’s suffering on the cross and received the stigmata. We’ll visit the cave where this happened in what is now an interesting church and tourist site. There will also be plenty of time to wander off into the woods and drink in the stunning views. We’ll have lunch together during our time at a delightful little taverna by the car park.

Twin themes for the day will be suffering and union as we reflect on the considerable pain both Francis and Clare experienced and their desire to enter into and experience Christ’s suffering. Union with God is woven through Scripture but has not been part of the traditional theology of the Roman church and the western protestant denominations that trace their roots back to it.

Day 5: Death and beyond. Theme: Creation and Legacy

Our last day will be spent in Assisi. We’ll be reflecting on the aftermath of Francis and Clare’s deaths and their legacy as the movement they started continued to grow and spread all over the world.  In the morning we’ll visit the Basilica of St Francis with its upper and lower sanctuaries. In the afternoon you’ll either be free to visit or revisit other sites in Assisi or join a group walking up to Eremo Delle Carceri, another of Francis’ retreat spaces in woods above Assisi. We’ll have a longer session together in the evening to share our experiences on this pilgrimage and formally close our time together. As we reflect on Francis and Clare’s legacy we’ll contemplate our own. We’ll also focus on Francis’ Canticle of the sun and his love for nature and the call to its preservation.

Costs

We are anticipating that the approximate cost will be £750 per person to include accommodation, breakfast, evening meal, and travel to sites outside of Assisi on two days.

The pilgrimage will be organised and lead by Chris Blakeley and Tim Jeffery, both experienced retreat leaders and spiritual mentors and both long term, avid fans of Francis and Clare.

Booking

At this stage we are looking for firm expressions of interest to gauge feasibility and enable us to reserve accommodation. Please contact either Chris Blakeley or Tim Jeffrey for more information. A deposit of 50% of the cost will be required at the point we book rooms in November 2025.

Chris: chris.blakeley@waverleylearning.co.uk

Tim: timjeffery@leadership2.co.uk