Page 25 - Paduan Fall 17

J ust as Padua challenges its students to achieve academic excellence, it also passes on the heritage and tradition of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi. Since Padua opened its doors in 1961, the Franciscan tradition has been passed on by the witness of dozens of Franciscan Friars who have ministered at Padua. In order for faculty and staf to have a deeper appreciation of this Franciscan witness, our former president, Fr. Walter Dolan, ofm, established the practice of sending faculty and staf members on pilgrimages to Assisi, Italy.The pilgrimage program ofers participants an opportunity to deepen their personal relationship with God through visits to the major sanctuaries associated with St. Francis and St. Clare. The pilgrims’ lives are enriched and transformed through participation in rituals, prayers, Eucharistic celebrations, visits to historical sites, and lectures. St. Francis and St. Clare help to fx our gaze on God.Upon returning to Padua, the pilgrims continue this living witness of the Franciscan values and ideals, which are essential elements of the life and work of the Padua Franciscan community. To date, more than 35 individuals have benefted from this enlightening and prayerful journey. Two recent pilgrims were Mrs. Amy DeCesare and Deacon Tom Litwinowicz, who traveled to Assisi during the summer of 2017.“It was such a privilege to represent Padua Franciscan on pilgrimage this summer. The experience was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to walk in the footsteps of St. Francis and St. Clare through Rome and Assisi. It is almost impossible to select just one of the countless highlights that could completely encompass the spiritual presence that permeated our group of pilgrims as we journeyed through the most beautiful, historic places imaginable. Certainly, the general audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican and the daily Masses we celebrated as a group stand out. The opportunities for daily contemplation and prayer—many of these in the very places Francis and Clare lived and evangelized—were transformative for me. The saints’ way of embracing poverty and simplicity created a true awareness and new appreciation for the many blessings we enjoy on a daily basis. As I walked throughout breathtaking Assisi and Umbrian surroundings, the inspiration for Francis’s Canticle of Creation—his prayer of praise and thanksgiving for the wonders of our universe—was very evident. I am so happy that we have made environmental stewardship one of our school goals: this is such a key Franciscan priority. I could write pages about all the amazing food we had, but the best part of the meals, and the trip itself, was Fraternitas—the community bonding—that we experienced with all of our pilgrim brothers and sisters. Our group became one family—reminiscent of our Padua community—and it is this memory that will be with me forever. Thank you to our Franciscans who make this trip possible for two Padua Bruins every summer. I am so grateful.” – Amy DeCesare, MedTrack Counselor and Theology Teacher“Traveling to Rome and Assisi this summer for the Franciscan Pilgrimage was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Following in the footsteps of Clare and Francis had a profound impact on me spiritually. When we arrived in Assisi, I could feel the Holy Spirit at work. The sacrifce of both Clare and Francis was evident to me throughout the pilgrimage. Giving themselves fully to God and others is something that hit home with me and has given me a spiritually re-awakening. My life as a deacon and as a Padua teacher has been greatly blessed and impacted by walking the streets of Rome and Assisi, following the path of Clare and Francis.” – Deacon Tom Litwinowicz, Math TeacherFranciscan Pilgrimage A JOURNEY IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI25