The Way of Saint Francis: 330 miles on foot through Tuscany, Umbria, and Lazio

Description: 

“He was of medium height, inclining to shortness; his head was of normal size and round, his face rather long and prominent, his forehead unlined and narrow; his eyes were of average size, black, with a frank look; his hair was dark, his eyebrows straight, his nose even, thin and straight; his ears were pointed, but small; his temples smooth. The words he spoke were kindly, but could be fiery and penetrating. His voice was powerful, but melodious, clear and resonant. His teeth were close-set, even and white; his lips were delicate and thin, his beard was black and on the sparse side, his neck slender, his shoulders straight, his arms short, his hands slender, with long, tapering fingers and nails; his legs were thin, his feet tiny; his skin delicate, his flesh very spare.”

Thus did Thomas of Celano, an early Franciscan friar, describe Giovanni Francesco di Bernardone, the founder of that religious order and his personal acquaintance. Today, we know him better as Saint Francis of Assisi. In the eight centuries since Francis walked the earth, the patron saint of Italy has become one of the most well-known and beloved saints in the Catholic Church. The Poverello, the ‘poor little man’, of Assisi is venerated around the globe and the road to the hill town where he was born and died, and where his earthly remains rest today, was once one of the most traveled pilgrim trail in all of Christendom.

Join Joe Konopelski as he recounts the May 2019 walk made by him and his wife along The Way of St. Francis, a 330 mile journey from Florence through Assisi to Rome. He will talk about preparation for the trip, the route, their experiences along the way, and some of the history of St. Francis that resonates through the region to this day.

Join Zoom Event HERE

Meeting ID: 823 4645 5416

Passcode: 946687

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