Day 1: July 28 (Monday) 2014

Day 1 #pilgrimage late afternoon  at the Franciscan Spiritual Center, Aston, PA was meet and greet time.  Even though, I left VA in plenty of time to arrive by 4 pm, I got tied up in Baltimore construction traffic.  This meet and greet time is expectant and positive for me.  I look forward to getting to know a little about those who will be companions for the next week.  This particular group had a core of 2nd and 3rd generation New York City Italians that made for a lot of stories about the City and food!

After a break for dinner, we gathered for our opening prayer of pilgrimage.  The theme was "God's Chosen Ones" which included a reading from St. Francis' early documents, "The Perfect Friar" - The Mirror of Perfection.  Sister Clare, one of our facilitators, also showed a slide presentation on "Holy and Beloved" - Women and Men of Light.  This opening prayer paved the way for awareness at sights we'd visit and saints being discussed during the upcoming week together.

The labyrinth is at the south side of the Spiritual Center

This particular labyrinth is "a five path classical labyrinth that is present in many of the world's cultures.

Pilgrimage #2: North American Saints "Holy and Beloved"

This North American Saints (#pilgrimage): "Holy and Beloved", sponsored by Franciscan Pilgrimages began on July 28 and ended on August 3 at the Franciscan Spiritual Center. Between these two dates, 13 pilgrims, and two staff members traveled as far south as upper Manhattan (NY) and northerly up to Syracuse (NY) and stayed at two other Franciscan retreat centers.
Our group split into two as we traveled in a sports van and a small SUV.  The trip was fast paced, but spirit-filled with a Eucharist celebration each day at a location pertinent to the saint of the day and one or more prayer rituals dedicated to a particular saint.

Here is the link to my presentation on Google+ of North American Saints:  "Holy and Beloved"

Pilgrimage Locations Where We Lodged

Franciscan Spiritual Center

Mt. Alverna Retreat Center

Stella Maris Retreat and Renewal Center

HubPages Article Summaries and Links

• Five books and points-of-view about Francis of Assisi reviews five books about Francis and attempts to point out what happens when we ask "Will the Real Francis of Assisi Make Himself Known?"

Our Lady enthroned and Saint Francis (1280)

Mary Enthroned with St. Francis
Cimabue in Lower Basilica
CC By 2.5

                                                 St. Francis and Companion 

                                                      Preaching to the Birds

                                                        Number 15 in 'Scenes from Francis' Life by Giotto.                                                                         These may be seen in the upper Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi.                         Source: Public Domain

• The five books reviewed are:

1. Salvation: Scenes from the Life of St. Francis by Valerie Martin.  Martin's book is based upon her scholarly and opinionated interpretations of the frescos in the Upper Basicila in Assisi - most by Giotto.
2. The First Life of St Francis of Assisi by Thomas of Celano.  Thomas was a companion of Francis'  and wrote the book at the time of Francis' canonization in 1228.
3. Saint Francis of Assisi by G. K. Cheston.  This is not an easy "read," but a worthwhile and intelligent one.
4. The Little Flowers of St. Francis by Brother Ugolino di Monte Santa Maria.  This was written about a century after Francis' death and the stories are based on oral tradition.  It is the basis for most of today's popular views of Francis.
5. Francis of Assisi: A Revolutionary Life by Adrian House. A decent biography of Francis that is also somewhat opinionated. 

• Street Scenes from Assisi, Italy illustrate images made as I poked around Assisi from the Basilicas of St. Francis and St. Clare to the small shops on the narrow streets of this ancient hillside town.

  

  This arrangement makes the bystander lean down and look into the shrine
  until face-to-face with Francis.

  Source: © Georgene Moizuk Bramlage

  

  The Virgin with the Child Jesus. She holds a white lily which is a symbol for purity.

  Source: © Georgene Moizuk Bramlage

  

  One of Assisi's many small neighborhood coffee or snack shopsSource: © Georgene Moizuk Bramlage

Francis as he realizes his future is not in being a knight.
Both figure and horse show torment over the impending decision. My interpretation!

Source: © Georgene Moizuk Bramlage

Pilgrimages, Retreats and other Journeys

The function of this blog is to share my photos from #pilgrimages, retreats and other similar journeys with family, friends and other pilgrims.  It will be heavy on photos - because this is how I like to communicate - and light on dialogue.  Look for pertinent book reviews or my links to reviews and other short articles.  Thoughtful comments are always welcome.

Bronze statue of Francis of Assisi sitting on wooden bench and holding a paper book.
Located in the foyer of the Franciscan Spiritual Center, Aston PA