Image by Peg M., 2025 Pilgrim
Encountering Francis and Clare:
Opening to Deeper Seeing and Being
2026 Pilgrimage to Assisi and Beyond
October 19-30, 2026
This pilgrimage unfolds during a Jubilee Year honoring St. Francis—a sacred invitation to return to a way of seeing shaped by love, humility, and courage. Eight hundred years after his death, his witness remains strikingly relevant. In a world marked by division, excess, and spiritual longing, Francis—alongside Clare’s steadfast and contemplative strength—offers a path of simplicity, reconciliation, and reverence for all of creation. Their lives speak not as distant history, but as a living invitation for our own time.
We come to walk through the landscapes that formed Francis and Clare, not only with our feet, but with our attention. We come to experience life through their eyes: eyes trained by prayer, softened by suffering, and widened by love. To see as they saw—creation as sacred, each person as brother or sister, and every moment as an opportunity for conversion of the heart.
To listen as they listened—to God’s voice arising in silence, in the cries of the poor, in the beauty and fragility of the world. To open both our inner and outer lives to the values that guided them 800 years ago and continue to speak with clarity into our own unsettled time.
Francis and Clare lived amid social unrest, economic disparity, and spiritual uncertainty. Rather than turning away, they allowed these realities to shape their prayer and their response. Through their eyes, division became an invitation to kinship, fear an opening to trust, and excess a call to simplicity.
This pilgrimage invites us into that same turning—toward a life made simpler, more spacious, and more compassionate. A way of living where prayer shapes perception, where love becomes a discipline of attention, and where seeing differently allows us to live differently.
With space for 23 participants, this is an intimate journey offering a unique opportunity
to walk in the spirit of St. Francis with a like-hearted community
Each Morning...
We will begin each day with prayer, reflection, and meditation guided by Valerie and Rosalie. Our guided meditations lead us deep into the lived experience of Francis and Clare and offer a pathway to experience how the themes of their journeys live in our own experience.
Each Day...
We will experience the journey of St. Francis and St. Clare through the insightful guidance of our amazing host, Rossella Vasta. As we walk in his footsteps, we will explore the landscapes, sacred sites, and stories that shaped his extraordinary path of faith, simplicity, and love.
Each Evening...
We will gather for reflection with Rosalie, Kris, and Valerie, creating space to deepen our connection to the values we hold—contemplation, compassion, hospitality, simplicity, care for the earth, and transformation. Through shared insights, personal reflection, and meaningful conversation, St. Francis’ spirit will inspire our journey, opening our hearts to his timeless wisdom.
Highlights of Our Journey
Day 1: Departure
Our pilgrimage begins by traveling together from the United States to Italy. We will gather at our assigned gate at O’Hare airport in Chicago, IL.
Day 2: Arrival in Rome, and Settling into Villa Pieve
Arrival in Rome and travel by private coach to Villa Pieve, which will be our home retreat throughout the pilgrimage. Having the entire place to ourselves offers a quiet and sheltered space to rest, arrive gently, and begin forming the shared rhythm of prayer, reflection, and community that will hold the journey.
Day 3: Corciano and Rossella Studio
Our first full day brings us into Corciano, a hill town of beauty and simplicity, and to Rossella Studio, where creativity and craftsmanship offer their own kind of contemplative witness. This day invites us to arrive more fully—to slow down, take in the spirit of the place, and begin opening ourselves to the inner movement of pilgrimage.
Day 4: Rivotorto, Santa Maria degli Angeli, the Porziuncola, and the Rose Garden
At Rivotorto, we encounter the humble beginnings of Francis and his early community. At Santa Maria degli Angeli, the Porziuncola, and the Rose Garden, we enter more deeply into the spiritual heart of the Franciscan story. These places speak of simplicity, devotion, mercy, and the quiet transformation of a life given over to love.
Day 5: Eremo delle Carceri on Mount Subasio
Set in the woods above Assisi, this isolated hermitage offers a place of silence, solitude, and prayer. Whether walking or riding up the mountain, we enter a landscape that held Francis in contemplation and retreat. This day invites spaciousness, deeper listening, and a renewed awareness of the sacredness of the natural world.
Day 6: San Rufino, Santa Chiara, and San Damiano
This day leads us through places closely tied to the lives of both Francis and Clare. At San Rufino we reflect on beginnings and awakening; at Santa Chiara we meet Clare’s strength and contemplative devotion; at San Damiano we remember the call to rebuild, renew, and respond. Together, these places invite reflection on vocation, courage, and faithful surrender.
Day 7: Free Day and Group Time at Villa Pieve
Midway through the pilgrimage, this free day offers room to rest, wander, pray, or simply absorb what has already begun to unfold. Returning together to Villa Pieve, we continue to be held by the quiet grace of our retreat home and the shared life of the group.
Day 8: Fonte Colombo and Greccio
At Fonte Colombo, a place of retreat and discernment, we are invited into quiet and interior reflection. In Greccio, we encounter the tenderness and humanity of Francis’ vision of the Nativity. This day draws us into prayer, humility, and the nearness of the sacred within ordinary life.
Day 9: La Verna
La Verna, high in the mountain forest, is one of the most profound places on the pilgrimage. Marked by stillness, beauty, and spiritual depth, it invites reflection on surrender, suffering, transformation, and union with God. It is a place that asks for reverence and inward openness.
Day 10: Chiesa Nuova and the Basilica of St. Francis
At Chiesa Nuova, built over Francis’ family home, we encounter the human story of his early life and conversion. At the Basilica of St. Francis, we gather before the breadth of his witness and legacy. This day offers a sense of culmination—an invitation to see more clearly what Francis lived and what his life continues to awaken in us.
Day 11: Free Day, Reflection, and Community at Villa Pieve
Our final full day gives us space to rest and reflect together before returning home. Held once more by Villa Pieve, our private retreat home, we gather the threads of the journey in community—honoring what has been stirred, deepened, and received along the way.
Day 12: Departure
We leave Villa Pieve and travel back to Rome for our return flight home. Even as the pilgrimage formally ends, we carry with us the grace of the places we have visited, the life we have shared, and the inner journey that continues.
The Vasta family and the keepers of Villa Pieve are ready to welcome you!
Villa Pieve
Our home for 10 nights in Umbria, the green heart of Italy. Villa Pieve is located on 8 acres of land next to an historical, medieval castle in the foothills of one of Italy’s most beautiful towns, Corciano.
Pricing:
- $5099 per person (double occupancy)
$550 – single supplement
$200 discount if making final payment by check
- Roundtrip airfare from Chicago O’Hare airport
- Lodging
- Meals (except for 4 meals out)
- Ground transportation
- Entrance fees
- Gratuities
- Private guide
Registration Information & Considerations
- Registration Form: Each registrant must complete the form individually. If you have a roommate, please include their name in the designated area.
- Confirmation: Please allow up to 24 hours to receive a confirmation email after submitting your registration.
- Terms and Conditions: Tour terms and conditions are outlined on the registration form.
- Additional Travel Arrangements: Wendy can assist with travel arrangements to Chicago O’Hare Airport. Additional fees will apply based on the mode of transportation.
- Mobility Considerations: The tour includes moderate walking, including uneven terrain and stairs. Some days include up to 1 or 2 miles overall walking.
Contact Wendy Bartnick with questions:
wbartnick@burkhaltertravel.com | 608-833-6968 ext. 251
This amazing group of humans were the first ever Christine Center pilgrims… read some of their experience:
For me this pilgrimage was a joining of being at sacred sites along with deep personal sharing in a loving caring community. Both parts were essential for the inner change and growth I experienced. Much of growth I cannot put into words, but I do feel different since I have returned. I feel closer to being the person I want to be, being a kinder person.
The pilgrimage to Assisi was one of the most profound meaningful spiritual experiences of my life! It has changed me deeply. The circle process was very meaningful. The Basilica of St. Clare was deeply moving. The group friendships made were amazing,
The pilgrimage came at a particularly good time for me, an unexpected big change in my personal life was unfolding. So the opportunity to re-center myself and have supportive conversations with so many wonderful “pilgrims” was very nurturing.
In the words of Sr. Gabe, being a pilgrim is different than being a tourist. It was transformational to be with other seekers and share a journey to such a holy and spiritually alive place. Come prepared to be changed, to laugh, to share, to pray, to cry, to reflect, and to grow.
The sites we visited were impactful and sacred. I loved that Rossella knew people who gave us special remarks, blessings, songs and more. The sharing circles were powerful. The guided meditations were so meaningful and moving. They were a fantastic complement to the activities and helped me process and integrate more fully.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the work and effort to plan and deliver such a wonderful program!
Your Companions for the Journey
Rossella Vasta, Valerie Haberman, Kris Hipp, and Rosalie Hooper Thomas
will companion us through a personal immersion into Franciscan values & Italian Culture.
Rossella Vasta
Deeply immersed in the Franciscan tradition, Rossella Vasta is an artist, philosopher, and educator whose work reflects the values and vision of St. Francis of Assisi. Her lifelong engagement with Franciscan spirituality shapes her artistic expression, scholarship, and teaching. Her Table of Silence, an art installation and ceremony, has been instituted around the globe and is about peace in the world.
Born in Palermo, Italy, she earned her Master’s in Philosophy from the University of Perugia in 1987, focusing on the role of visual education in creative development. Her academic and artistic journey has taken her across Europe, the United States, and Japan, where she has lectured at institutions such as the American University in Washington D.C., Chautauqua Institution in New York, and Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee.
In recognition of her contributions to Franciscan thought and education, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Cardinal Stritch Franciscan University in 2012. Since 2000, she has served as the director and coordinator of the Pieve International School in Corciano, Italy, fostering dialogue on art, philosophy, and spirituality through the lens of Franciscan values.
To view Rossella’s art, visit: www.rossellavasta.com
Valerie Haberman
Valerie is a dedicated leader from Northern Minnesota who feels most at home among the trees and forests of the Midwest. She finds her solace in the tranquility of nature alongside her beloved canine companion, Charlotte. Her deep commitment to the Christine Center began in 2014 when she first encountered this spiritual sanctuary on a personal retreat. Her journey of involvement began immediately as a volunteer and, as her dedication to our community grew, flourished into a full-time leadership role in 2019. She brings to her work a profound devotion to spiritual deepening and a heartfelt desire to create spaces where others can embark on their own journeys of transformation.
Valerie’s academic journey includes a B.S. in Psychology from St. Mary’s University and an M.A. in Servant Leadership from Viterbo University, emphasizing her commitment to personal and communal growth.
Grounded in her passion for inner exploration and self-realization, Valerie embraces the transformative teachings of the Diamond Approach where she has been a student since 2014.
As a residential community member, Valerie is dedicated to collaboratively nurturing the Christine Center’s Franciscan heritage and role as a spiritual sanctuary for personal growth, introspection, and meaningful connections. Her leadership style combines professional acumen with a warm, empathetic spirit. She is committed to cultivating a haven for ALL who seek inner transformation and genuine connections.
Valerie holds a deep commitment to the teachings of St. Francis and to all teachers who spread recognition of our shared spirit and humanity and who seek to cultivate peace in the world. She believes in the power of contemplative practice and compassionate presence to bring healing and wholeness, both within individuals and in the broader world. “I am excited and honored to step into this journey with you.”
Kris Hipp
Kris, a lifelong Franciscan advocate, earned a BSE and MSE in Special Education from UW-Whitewater and a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from UW-Madison. She spent 26 years in the Janesville School District, teaching and leading Special Education and Staff Development efforts while adjunct teaching at UW-Whitewater. She later taught Educational Leadership at Ball State University and retired (“refocused”) in 2013 as Professor Emerita from Cardinal Stritch University’s Doctoral Leadership Studies program.
For 47 years, she has been a consultant and facilitator, leading organizational change and collaborating, presenting, and publishing nationally and internationally on Professional Learning Communities, Collective Efficacy, Leadership Capacity, and Effective Leadership in High-Needs Schools.
While at “Stritch” Kris became passionate about leading and serving to reflect the Franciscan values. In 2003 she participated in a life-changing Franciscan Pilgrimage Program to Assisi and Rome, and soon after, established a partnership with Rossella Vasta, Director of Pieve International School in Umbria. She began teaching, researching, and coordinating Leadership, Learning and Service retreats and Italian Cultural Immersion tours. She has studied Italian to better co-host groups, buuld relationships with the people in this beautiful country, and deepen her understanding of the culture.
Kris served on the Executive Council at the Mindfulness Community of Milwaukee and serves as the President of the Board of Directors for the Christine Center, which she calls her “Cardinal Stritch, Assisi, and Spiritual Home.” A dedicated supporter of its Mission, Vision, Values, and inclusivity, she cherishes the sign at its entrance: “The stillness calls you.” Kris is excited about co-hosting our second Pilgrimage at Villa Pieve, her 25th visit over 20 years and 18th co-host for groups! She promises a memorable experience that has potential to be transforming as it continues to be for her.
Rosalie Hooper Thomas
Rosalie Hooper Thomas brings a deep grounding in Franciscan spirituality, leadership, and accompaniment. In 2011, she participated in a pilgrimage to Assisi with colleagues from FSPA ministries, an experience that became a meaningful turning point in her spiritual life and led her to become an FSPA Affiliate in 2012.
In her life as an Affiliate, Rosalie has offered generous leadership and service. She served as co-chair of the FSPA 2018 Assembly Planning Committee and was also part of the FSPA/Affiliate Homelessness Initiative Committee, which helped establish the Franciscan Hospitality House and support the Coulee Collaborative to End Homelessness.
Before retiring in 2014 from the Franciscan Spirituality Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Rosalie served there for 13 years in a number of roles, including liaison to business, facilitator, coordinator of the Servant Leadership program, program coordinator, retreat director, and spiritual mentor. Her work reflected both practical wisdom and a steady commitment to personal and spiritual formation. Prior to her time at the Franciscan Spirituality Center, Rosalie had her own practice as an organizational development consultant.
She served on the Board of Directors at the Center for the last six years, including serving as Board president for 3 years during an important time of transition.
Rosalie lives in the country with her husband, Stan, and treasures time spent traveling to visit their four beautiful granddaughters.