Join Other Young Adults on This Incredible Journey of Faith
Rome & Assisi
Walking in the Footsteps of St. Francis
June 20 - 29, 2022
Recharge, Refresh, & Reinvigorate Your Ministry
Newman Ministry is partnering with Creatio to help Campus Minister’s from around the US transform the way we bring the faith to the next generation. All leaders need time to find new sources of life and inspiration for their work, and there is nothing quite like going out on pilgrimage to find that new energy. Take advantage of this special opportunity to connect and grow with other Catholic leaders on this unique 10 day pilgrimage through Italy in the heart of the Church.
June 20 – 29, 2022 : Rome & Assisi, Italy
$1,699.00
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Journey of a Lifetime
Join Creatio for a trek to one of the world’s most significant pilgrimage sites, Rome. Follow in the footsteps of the great St. Francis of Assisi on his journey to the heart of Christendom. This pilgrimage combines deep Christian spirituality, world history, and mystic adventure into a life-changing experience.
Walk, Pray, Grow
On this pilgrimage, become a part of the St. Francis’ story yourself as you walk along the historic Via Francigena, a path Francis took many times to visit the Holy Father in the heart of the Church as he sought direction and approval for his new mendicant order. Participants will be able to visit sites on a daily basis that where touched by the wonderful allure of the Umbrian saint and visit the many shrines and chapels constructed in his honor. Listen to daily reflections from Creatio & Newman Ministry Leaders and dialogue with other committed Catholics about how to grow deeper in prayer and faith on our Christian journey.
In the Heart of the Church
St. Peter and St. Paul found their way to the ancient capital of the world in the 1st century, and since the 3rd century, millions have made the trek to Rome on religious pilgrimage as it became the Catholic center of the Western World. Thousands of historic churches line the route; not to mention bars, refugios (pilgrim hostels), and every other amenity you could need to make your pilgrimage a success. Experience Italy in a way that you never have before, walking between the towns and living a way of life that will take you back 1000 years.
Trip Cost
$1699 (Land-Cost Only)
Type of Trip
Walking Pilgrimage – Pilgrims will walk 10-15 miles a days over moderate to rough terrain. If you have any questions please reach out to Creatio Staff with questions.
Includes
Training Plan & Pre-Trip Meetings
Breakfast and dinner every day
Ground transportation from final destination
Opportunities for spiritual talks, reflection and silence
Creatio guides to accompany the entirety of the journey
Daily Mass with a Trip Chaplain
Excludes
International flights
Lunches during the pilgrimage
A Note about flights...
We allow you to choose your own flights to keep our trip costs as low as possible. The earlier flights are purchased, the better! We recommend checking www.kayak.com, www.skyscanner.com, and www.google.com/flights/ for flight options.
Your Guides
In Partnership With
Previous Pilgrimages
“The highlight of the trip was doing it within a community. I don’t think the trip would have been nearly the experience it had been if doing it with a small group or 1 or 2 others”
Rob, South Dakota
“The Camino teaches humility and perseverance…you will know yourself better, emerging more aware of your tendencies, strengths, and weaknesses”
Will, University of Colorado
The Pilgrimage of Our Lives
A pilgrimage is a metaphor for and a reality of our lives. As we walk we see how our lives are like a voyage filled with joy, effort, beauty, suffering, surprises, goals, adventure, love and expectation. But our life is not only “like” a pilgrimage, it is in fact a pilgrimage from birth to death; in this world we are only “strangers and sojourners” (1 Pe. 2:11). “For we brought nothing into the world, just as we shall not be able to take anything out of it.” (1 Tim 6:7) We are all pilgrims walking through, and this life, this passage, is the time we are given to reach the eternal goal, IT IS THE TIME OF SALVATION. Let us enjoy the journey, love it and live it! Pope Francis reminds us: “I want people to go out! I want the Church to go out to the street! Jesus, with His Cross, walks with us…!”
Locations
Asissi
This humble town in central Italy was a small and insignificant hamlet until the appearance of Francesco Bernardone in late 12th century. The charismatic son of a merchant brought the town worldwide acclaim through his passionate love for Christ and His Church and through the incredible attraction of his radical lifestyle. With the appearance of St. Francis on the scene and the foundation of the Order of Friars Minor, Assisi has become a household name and a sought after site for many pilgrims. It still preserves much of its quiet and medieval character through its steep cobblestone streets and many churches, and will be an appropriate place to start our pilgrimage.
Rome
The Ancient City of Rome, once the Capital of the Western World, and home to the Church for nearly 2,000 years is our final destination. The center of the city preserves much the character, charm, and history despite the many conflicts it has experienced over several millennia of existence, and has won for itself the title of “The Eternal City.” The Vatican City, crowned by Saint Peter’s Basilica with its sweeping plaza, will be the destination of our journey as it is for so many pilgrims around the world.
Community and Friendship
“Community,” “deep conversation,” “friendship.” Many pilgrims chose these words when asked to describe their Camino de Santiago experience in one phrase. Others affectionately remember their experience by calling their fellow pilgrims their “Camino Family.” Of course the Camino experience is known as a great opportunity for silence, personal reflection, and soul-searching. But we are made for community, made for encounter, and much of that soul-searching happens in communion with others. Those conversations while preparing dinner, or sipping a hot expresso in tiny village, or helping someone with their blisters (yes, they’re real) may be the ones that help change our lives. Come prepared to live out the beauty of Community in a way that you may have never experienced before!
Spirituality
Creatio’s spirituality is focused on strengthening the four relationships: relationship with self, with one another, with nature and with God. We encourage all of our pilgrims to be open to experience a deepening of these relationships while on our trips. Nearly everyone that walks the Camino de Santiago will say that it is a profoundly spiritual experience, regardless of religious background. Stopping at 1000 year old churches to pray for a moment (or an hour), has a powerful affect on the soul. Celebrating the famous daily “Pilgrim Mass” is essential for all pilgrims, and many non-Catholics join in because of how important this is for the pilgrim.
Pilgrims will have the opportunity for daily moments of prayer and reflection led by both trip guides, and will participate in the daily Pilgrim Mass at each stop. These are a wonderful complement to the daily walk and the heart of the pilgrimage itself.
Lodging
One of the most beautiful aspects of a pilgrimage is not knowing where we will sleep each night. Along the route, many “refugios” (roughly translated as “pilgrim refuges”) receive pilgrims at a meager cost. The hosts see their reception of pilgrims as a true mission and ministry, and go out of their way to make pilgrims feel at home at the end of each day. It’s truly amazing to witness! Because this is a pilgrimage, conditions may not exactly be 5 star, but basic needs for pilgrims will always be met (warm place to sleep, blankets, etc). Joyous also is meeting and resting with other pilgrims from around the world who also nightly seek the comfort of the albergues for a well-deserved night’s rest.
Itinerary
Approximate Walking distance 119km / 75 miles over rough terrain – Exact Itinerary Subject to Change
Day 1: Arrive in Rome – Train to Rieti (Overnight in Rieti)
Day 2: Begin Walking Pilgrimage – Rieti to Poggio Bastone
Day 3: Poggio Bastone to Piediluco
Day 4: Piediluco to Arrone
Day 5: Arrone to Spoleto
Day 6: Spoleto to Trevi
Day 7: Trevi to Spello
Day 8: Spello to Assisi
The pilgrimage ends by ascending up the great mountain of Subasio and entering the caves where Francis used to hide and pray. The route finishes with a magnificent entrance into Assisi from the top of the hills down into the Medieval town.
Day 9: Assisi
Participants will finish this Creatio Pilgrimage in the Spirit of St. Francis in his home town, walking the streets where he grew up, made friends, and eventually left everything to follow his call to serve the poor and “rebuild the Church.” It in Assisi that the famous Crucifix of San Damian that spoke to Francis and called him to mission resides, and participants will be able to spend time in reflection in front of that same cross in preparation for their pilgrimage to Rome.
Participants will spend the morning in a final time of reflection and community sharing concluding.
Day 10: Return to Rome – Return to the USA
Participants will all return by Train to Rome on the morning of the final day. The pilgrimage officially ends at the Termini Station in Rome on the final day of the trip. Participants are welcome to spend extra time in Rome/ Italy at the conclusion of the trip. Creatio is not responsible for any accommodations at the end of the trip, but can offer some suggestions.
Travel to and from Italy
ARRIVAL: Participants may arrive in ROME (Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport – FCO) anytime BEFORE 12 p.m. on the first day of the trip, June 20, 2022. The participants will meet at the Rome Airport (FCO) at that time. Pilgrims will be given instructions for meeting location. The Experience officially begins at 12 p.m. in Rome on June 20, any prior travel arrangements are the responsibility of the participant.
DEPARTURE: Participants will arrive back in Rome at approximately 10am on June 29, 2022. The Experience officially ends at 8am on June 29, 2022. Participants who wish to remain for extra time may do so on their own. You do not have to stay in Rome after the trip. Transportation to the airport at the end of the trip is the responsibility of each participant, but we can help you get a taxi or take public transit. In the past, our pilgrims have often traveled to the airport together since they’re on flights departing at or near the same time.
Additional Details
Please wait until we have confirmed your spot in the pilgrimage to buy your flights. Please contact us if you’d like assistance choosing flights or connecting with other missionaries to travel together. We will be coordinating for pilgrims to travel together from Denver and Philadelphia if you wish to depart from either of those two cities.
Travel Insurance
The cost of your pilgrimage with us includes trip insurance. This insurance covers things like trip cancellation/interruption, emergency medical & evacuation, delays, lost luggage, etc…
Medical Insurance
In addition to travelers insurance, it is good to know what your medical insurance covers in foreign countries. Call your insurance before departing and know what is in your plan. Bring your insurance card with you.
Health & Safety Information
Health
Health Information
We recommend you undergoing a medical check-up before traveling to make sure you don’t have any kind of medical condition that could obstruct your participation in the pilgrimage.
Central Italy has a very moderate climate, though summer weather can be hot. Most of the time, temperatures are between 50-90o F with some rain. The most significant difficulty that pilgrims will encounter involves walking the 10-15 miles/day, which can be very physically demanding. Pilgrims are encouraged to build up considerable resistance to walking long distances, wearing the boots or shoes that they will wear on the pilgrimage. Blisters are one of the most frequent challenges of the walking pilgrim. They can be limited/avoided by getting high quality and good-fitting socks and boots. Pilgrims are encouraged to break-in their footwear if they are purchasing new equipment, walking at least 3-4 weeks with the new boots before use. Many pilgrims walk part of the day in boots, the other part in good walking sandals.
Medical Care
Lazio (Rome), Italy: Medical Care in Italy is very decent in Rome, but it will be much less available in the Rural regions along the Via Francigena. At each of the daily stops there is generally a local clinic and Pharmacy available to pilgrims, many specifically catering towards pilgrims. Medical Care will be within reach along the entire Way.
For more country-specific health and safety information, visit www.travel.state.gov for details.
Required Documents
US Citizens:
Passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the final day of trip. Passport must have at least one blank visa page.
Non US Citizens or those traveling from outside of the US:
Visit travel.state.gov to understand visa and vaccine requirements regarding the country from which you are coming.
Please contact us to confirm non-US citizen visa requirements.
What to Bring
RECOMMENDED – One Backpack (30-55L range)
Passport
ID
Travelers insurance card
General insurance card
Copy of Passport, ID, and insurance cards
Emergency contact information
Money for souvenirs, airport meals, Camino lunches, personal items, and additional snacks or drinks you might want
Backpack
Sleeping bag liner, light sleeping bag, or light blanket
Water bottle or Camelbak (easily refilled; Spanish tap water is safe to drink)
Headlamp (helpful if it has a dim/red setting)
Hiking clothes – Bring two sets of clothing. You can wash one each night. Clothes that dry quickly are best. Avoid cotton.
3 shirts – base layer, we will only need a t-shirt most of the day
1 long sleeve/outer layer for chilly mornings
2 pairs of pants that zip off into shorts (or 2 of each)
3 underwear – preferably technical/quick dry (women – same material for bras)
2 pair silk liner socks
2-3 pair non-cotton socks
light outer shell raincoat
Good walking/hiking shoes
Sandals/flip flops for shower and evenings
Sunglasses and hat, sunscreen
Toiletries
Laundry detergent or bar (easy to buy there as well)
Toilet paper (small quantity for trailside emergencies)
Towel (microfiber or raw linen; fast drying is key)
Prescribed and non-prescribed medications
Pack cover (or poncho or garbage bag to keep your pack dry)
Optional
Book. Keep in mind that there won’t be a lot of time to sit and read. A small book with daily reflections is ideal. Low weight, high mental “calorie” content.
Bible – be prudent with weight or prepared for penance. Travel version?
Rosary (sheenrosaries.com is a friend of ours and makes near-unbreakable Rosaries, with a percentage of sales going towards mission work in Uganda)
Journal
Camera and charger – confirm voltage will work with Italy’s 220V outlets
Phone and charger – most new phones can handle both U.S. and European voltages, but you’ll need an outlet adapter available at any travel store or REI. Leaders will carry a phone for emergencies, enabling you to minimize screen time.
Spork (FYI common “Light My Fire” plastic ones tend to break in peanut butter/honey)
Earplugs; albergue bedrooms are noisy at night with other pilgrims
Moneybelt / small pouch for passport and personal money
Blister care – safety pins (2), needle, thread, band-aids, first aid tape, Vaseline, moleskin. These are easily found along the route if needed.
Watch – not necessary, but handy for meeting times and morning alarms
A stone from home to leave at the Cruz de Ferro
*Trip insurance provides coverage during the advertised dates of the Experience. If a situation arises prior to departure, this would not be covered.