A Franciscan pilgrimage to Italy has renewed the sense of purpose for three St. Coletta’s of Illinois staff members who support children and adults with developmental disabilities -- deepening their connection to the Franciscan values that guide the organization’s mission.

During the 10-day pilgrimage, Kennedy School Occupational Therapy Assistant Shalini Kumar, Adult Support Services Vice President Meredith O’Brien, and Marketing Coordinator Charla Brautigam followed in the footsteps of St. Francis and St. Clare, learning about their faith, compassion and service to others.

The pilgrimage was organized by the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi as part of their ongoing commitment to preserving and promoting Franciscan values. The annual journey invites participants to deepen their faith while visiting important sites connected to the lives and ministries of St. Francis and St. Clare.

In addition to visiting historic Franciscan sites, the group participated in sacred experiences that resonated deeply with their faith, including renewing their Baptismal promises, praying at the tombs of St. Francis and St. Clare, and receiving a papal blessing in Rome. These moments offered a tangible connection to the living tradition of the Church and underscored the spiritual foundation that guides St. Coletta’s mission of service.

The journey, which included six days in Assisi and two days in Rome, was designed to strengthen and promote Franciscan values through prayer, reflection and visits to some of the most significant locations in the lives of St. Francis and St. Clare.

“Visiting the places where St. Francis lived and served others was incredibly powerful,” said Kumar. “It reminded me how small acts of kindness and care can have a lasting impact, and it renewed my sense of purpose in the work we do with the individuals we support.”

“This pilgrimage deepened my appreciation for the Franciscan values that guide the work we do every day,” agreed O’Brien. “Standing in these sacred places helped bring the stories of St. Francis and St. Clare to life in a way that strengthened my commitment to serving others with compassion and humility.”

Leading the pilgrimage Feb. 21-March 2 were Sr. Joanne Schatzlein, OSF; Fr. Jim Gannon, OFM; and Sr. Corrina Thomas, FSPA, who guided participants through prayer, reflection and the rich spiritual history of the Franciscan tradition.

During their time in Assisi and throughout the surrounding region, the group climbed Rocca Maggiore and prayed for peace, renewed their Baptismal promises at the Cathedral of San Rufino, and visited San Damiano, where St. Clare lived and founded the Order of Poor Ladies. In Rivotorto, they prayed at the Shrine of the Hovel and reflected on how St. Francis cared for people with leprosy with compassion and humility.

The pilgrims also visited the Porziuncola, the small chapel central to the early Franciscan movement, and traveled to La Verna, where St. Francis received the stigmata. At the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, they viewed the tomb and relics of St. Francis and prayed before the San Damiano Cross -- the cross that, according to tradition, spoke to St. Francis and called him to rebuild the Church.

Additional stops included Greccio, where St. Francis created the first live Nativity scene, and the tomb of millennial saint Carlo Acutis. The pilgrimage also included time in Rome, where the group received a papal blessing from Pope Leo, the first American pope.

“Walking in the footsteps of St. Francis offered a powerful reminder of the compassion and humility that are at the heart of the Franciscan tradition,” Brautigam said. “It was a deeply moving experience that will continue to inspire the way we serve the children and adults entrusted to our care.”