Pilgrimage
The Sisters are encouraged to go on a pilgrimage to Assisi, Italy – the home of Saint Francis and Clare. Sister Mary Lonan is one Sister who has gone, and she explains that it is “an in-depth look at the persons that we claim to be following in Franciscanism…”[i]
At the time of Sister Mary Lonan’s early years, there were not many books on Franciscanism or Saint Francis; therefore, a pilgrimage was a wonderful learning experience for her. Although many more books exist today, Sister Mary Lonan explains that there is such power in visiting, which cannot be found inside a book: “It gave you a whole new look at what you promised… How Francis lived… and how he attracted people because of his lifestyle.”[ii]
Sister Mary Lonan describes a typical day on the pilgrimage consisting of classes in the morning and of traveling or exploration time in the afternoon. In her one-month stay, she saw many of the places and things, about which she had read and learned, including the remains of Francis contained in a casket above the altar of the Basilica of St. Francis. In reflecting on her experience, she calls it “the highlight of my whole life.”[iii] She explains: “Just to be in Assisi where he spent his life, it renewed my religious life.”[iv]
In hopes of bringing about similar experiences, the Congregation sends a few Sisters to go on pilgrimages every year.