Students on Pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome
What do a Graphic Design major, a Psychology major and a Secondary Ed-Social Studies major have in common? They’ll all be making a pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome during the Christmas break.
From December 27 till January 7, three USF students from different backgrounds and with varied interests will join pilgrim students from other Franciscan colleges and universities on a spiritual journey taking them to Italy. Juniors Danielle Collins, Julianne Haines and Kerri Jylland-Hade all feel truly blessed to be going to the birthplace of Saints Francis and Clare, as well as to Rome.
Pilgrimage has been described as "prayer in motion" because each pilgrim approaches the experience from a different spiritual perspective. A life-long Catholic, Danielle wants to deepen her faith even more by spiritually bonding with the two Assisi saints. "Walking in their very footsteps in the places that they once were, I can really connect with them on a deeper level," she states.
Julianne hopes the experience will help her to "grow spiritually," augmenting the other areas of growth she's seen in herself since transferring to USF. "I am really looking forward to walking in St. Francis' footsteps and doing some personal meditation in the same places where he meditated and prayed.”
Focusing on an application of the pilgrimage to her life, Kerri hopes "to connect with [Francis'] passion for serving in poverty, and to find a deeper dedication to Christ". She sees the pilgrimage as a way to "journey to the home of our university's inspiration, and...return with a better understanding of my soulful purpose through those who have paved the way for me."
Through an interview process each student was selected in April, 2009 to receive a scholarship that helps to pay for the pilgrimage. Since then Danielle, Julianne and Kerri gathered monthly for preparation meetings with Sister Anita Holzmer, Director of the Center for Franciscan Spirit and Life and instructor in Franciscan Studies at USF. "This is my fifth year to prepare student pilgrims," says Sister Anita, "and it's such a joy to see them spiritually transformed when they return. Our student pilgrims are a real blessing to the university community!"
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Previously Featured
- Students on Pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome
- The Birthplace of an Ocean
- Serving One Another, Society, & the Church
- Our students try to give of themselves, “from head to toe.”
- Hands-on Learning with a Professional Artist
- Health and hunger: USF students give on two fronts
- USF unites local educators, students for Better Together Day of Service
- We the People