October 2019

Assisi, Italy

2019 was a pilgrimage filled with many precious moments, flexibility, a deep sense of peace, gratitude and joy. Our group was dynamic, fun, faith filled, reflective and extremely open. Thank you all for an incredible pilgrimage. We are grateful for each of you!

There were a few unexpected changes in 2019 that everyone understood with compassion and grace. One of our guides/drivers was suddenly ill and the pilgrimage site of Montecasale was closed for a year. Our local driver and friend agreed to be our replacement driver for that day and we went to explore Cortona instead. While there we visited the Convent de Le Celle and the Santa Margherita Church named after a Franciscan Third Order woman. We also saw the home that was restored from the book “Under the Tuscan Sun” in Cortona. Timing had it that Frances Mayes, the author was outside her home and delighted to see us. We also found the best cappuccino I’ve ever had.

We had no idea how much we would all draw on this pilgrimage and Assisi during the upcoming pandemic. Many of our pilgrims have contacted us, from all our trips, to tell us that the peace they experienced in Assisi was an incredible gift that they relived  during the times of stress that they have encountered in the last two and a half years.

Ken and I lost seven friends and family members in 11 months during the lock down time of the pandemic. Often what got me through a rough day was picturing myself back in Assisi, walking to the Basilica, Cathedrals and churches drawing on the wisdom and strength of St. Francis and St. Clare.

Assisi is the gift that keeps on giving.

2019

Event Date

October 2019

2019 was a pilgrimage filled with many precious moments, flexibility, a deep sense of peace, gratitude and joy.

  • Assisi, Italy

Leaders:

Ken & Delores

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Memories From The Journey

What People Had to Say

In the Autumn months of 2019 I had the privilege of joining Delores and Ken on their pilgrimage through the Umbria region of central Italy. From the moment we arrived in the town of Assisi and received a blessing from Delores as we entered the front gates, I could see the heartfelt love and passion that Delores and Ken have for providing the most memorable and meaningful experience possible. In joining a tour with Ken and Delores you will be embarking on a truly unique travel experience far beyond what can be found in any travel agency. Our pilgrimage included a very well planned schedule which made it effortless for the group to enjoy all the activities and destinations without having to worry about any of the details. Whether it’s the historically significant locations, unique restaurants, or hidden gems that would otherwise be overlooked by most travelers, Ken and Delores have created a one of a kind experience for those seeking more than just sightseeing. The contemplative portion and guided activities were truly unique and a special part of our trip. It not only brought our group closer together and added anotheer dimension to the experience, but to this day i still use the techniques I learned during our time together. Their sincere desire in wanting to help each individual explore their personal goals and/or challenges is where they truly shine. Not only were Delores and Ken amazing hosts, but for our family, if felt like traveling with old friends.

Mark Massing

Calgary, Canada

Delores planned such an incredible pilgrimage the first time I went in 2016 that I joined her and Ken again in 2019! Everything about the experience was enhanced the second time around. I had a heart connection with the other pilgrims and the places we visited that I may not have been capable of the first time. The grounding I experienced due to; a level of familiarity with Assisi, my deepening heart connection with you Delores, as well as Ken and your own enhanced vulnerability. What a powerful, yet gentle example you set. You are such a remarkable team.

Thank you Delores, for your persistence in becoming the woman God created you to be. For your willingness to have His tender heart, with its divine capacity for suffering, love and joy, so that we could all be a part of this amazing blessing. Ken added much to our time together. I am in awe of his spiritual gifts and maturity. He is so thoughtful and humble with a beautiful servant’s heart. Thank you both for seeing God in me as I see God in both of you! I am feeling recharged, inspired and so, so grateful. Love to you both, dear friends.

Judith Pickering

Detroit, Michigan

The Italian countryside is breathtakingly beautiful and this trip was a deeply moving spiritual experience on so many levels. The emotional and spiritual force you feel walking through all the great historical basilicas, cathedrals, churches and chapels is indescribable. You cannot help but feel humbled.

We were truly blessed to experience Assisi and to walk in the footsteps of St. Francis and St. Clare with Delores and Ken. They are an exceptional husband and wife team.

This pilgrimage far exceeded our expectations!

Delores and Ken handled everything with such great care and genuine concern that this pilgrimage be the best experience possible, for each and every one of us.

This trip was most definitely filled with many memorable moments of awe.

Monica Massing

Calgary, Canada

Monica, Mark and I really enjoyed the pilgrimage and we won’t ever forget the experience. Not to mention the fact that we are all better photographers as well.

I thought the pilgrimage was a wonderful in the way that you combined the history and life of Saint Francis with the beauty and elegance of the area around Assisi.

John Massing

Calgary, Canada

In the fall of 2019, I had the good fortune of joining Delores and Ken on a Visual Art & Contemplative pilgrimage through the central part of Italy. Initially I hesitated in going because I am not a photographer, and the word “artist” is not even in my vocabulary. I chose tp participate in the Rome Bonus tour for 3 days where we toured St Peter’s Basilica, Vatican Museums,the Coliseum, the Vatican Gardens and a trip to Papal Summer home by train. In Assisi, there were daily activities ranging from a walking tour of Assisi which included touring the Basilica of St.Francis, to day trips to Perugia, Greccio, Spelloand Cortona. There were a wide range of activities and subjects to visit including a weaving facility, a stain glass factory, wine tasting, olive oil tasting and Mosaic Ruins.In addition,there was time set aside daily for meditation and reflection using a number of techniques that I was not familiar with,photography and art.The daily activities complemented each other and the time we spent together brought the group closer together. Delores and Ken were excellent hosts always interested in everyone’s well being and comfort.Their laid-back nature and patient demeanor greatly added to the trip’s atmosphere and success.The pilgrimage was very well organized and allowed everyone ample time to enjoy all the activities. The hotel in Assisi was great and central to our activities. I sincerely enjoyed this trip and would highly recommend it to anyone looking to combine seeing the stunning beauty of Assisi and the surrounding countryside at a leisurely pace with time to reflect on life and it’s meaning through photography and art as well as the spirituality of St Francis.

Art Beaubien

Calgary, Alberta

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Our Previous Pilgrimages

October 2019

Assisi, Italy

2019 was a pilgrimage filled with many precious moments, flexibility, a deep sense of peace, gratitude and joy.

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May 2018

Assisi, Italy

In 2018 we had a small group of four strong, very faithfilled women. Our time together was quiet and reflective.

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October 2017

Assisi, Italy

“Our pilgrimage in 2017 was a mystical, magical pilgrimage that is never to be forgotten” these are the words our beautiful friend Joanna shared with me

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May 2016

Assisi, Italy

Support and encouragement from numerous people has been an enormous gift to the birthing of these pilgrimages.

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October 2013

Assisi, Italy

2013 was a year of invitation, listening, trusting and seeking.

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June 2012

Assisi, Italy

This was our first year to travel to Italy. We had waited many years to finally fulfill this dream. Little did we know that we would return a few years later leading pilgrimages.

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