Pomegranate: Rebirth, Resurrection & Immortality

Pomegranate: Rebirth, Resurrection & Immortality
Pomegranate: Rebirth, Resurrection & Immortality
Showing posts with label Franciscan Spiritual Center. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Franciscan Spiritual Center. Show all posts

Saturday, August 16, 2014

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