Feel free to read this page for more info about the pilgrimage retreat to Assisi!
Imagine yourself taking in vivid sunsets and walking the sacred streets where the beloved Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi, began their lives of living without grasping.
Our 6 night pilgrimage-retreat has spacious rhythms and sacred soul invitations waiting for you.
So if you've ever wanted to saunter, linger, and frolic in the spirituality of Saint Francis and Saint Clare, we'd love to have you come be a part.
Assisi, Italy is a magical and sacred space. From the beauty of the city to the spirit of Saint Francis and Saint Clare that inhabit this ancient city, a reFresh retreat in Assisi will delight your heart and deepen your desire to live as a person of peace in an anxious world.
We’ll stay in an ancient (with modern amenities) monastery right in the center of town. We will spend our mornings retracing some of the steps and recounting some of the heartbeat of Francis and Clare. Afternoons are free to reflect, rest or wander, and evenings we’ll debrief the gentle whispers we sense God is offering to our hearts.
In order to keep the retreats more intimate, we are limiting the space to only 12 people.
We’ll have more precise info coming later
The cost of single room will be around $2300 Early Bird (before Dec 1st, 2024).
The cost for a shared room is $2000 Early Bird (before Dec 1st, 2024)
After Dec 1st, 2024, prices will go up by $350 each.
We will require a $500 non refundable deposit to secure your place.
PLEASE NOTE: Air and/or ground transportation to and from Assisi, or while at Assisi (taxis, buses etc) lunch, any extra meals, snacks, historical guided tours by a local, and beverages, are not included.
Cost includes 6 nights lodging and tourist tax, 5 full breakfasts (including protein and espresso) & multi-course dinners.
This price also includes bus/taxi fare to our retreat scheduled outings, if we are using them to get to our destination.
You will also receive generous pre-retreat guidance, retreat materials and facilitation, including several guided reflection walks in and around Assisi.
Each morning we'll gather to set our hearts for the day. Then we'll head out to explore Assisi. Lunch and the afternoon are on your own. You can explore, rest or grab a glass of vino rosso & sit for hours journaling with a million dollar view (see pic above!) Before dinner each night, we'll gather to share how God has been stirring our hearts and lives.
We will be staying with le suore (the Sisters) at Casa Madonna della Pace. It is located just below the main piazza in Assisi and the front door is on the street that Francis would've run back and forth on to go to his childhood friend, Bernardo's, house. Bernardo would become Francis' first follower, or “gift” as Francis preferred to call them.
We are also a stone's throw from the square where Francis disrobed and near his childhood home. And just beyond the main piazza is Clare's childhood home and the church that now houses the San Damiano Cross.
And don't worry, a gelato shop (or 3) is also not far away!
You seriously don't want to miss being in the presence of these amazing souls!
Sam and Paula have been friends for nearly 40 years since college. Sam loves meeting people and delights in welcoming each person she encounters to discover the uniqueness of who they are. In over thirty years of ministry she has held a variety of roles from leading women’s ministries to traveling and living internationally to companioning and learning from others in a variety of contexts.
Sam is delighted to return to Assisi to help introduce people to connect more deeply with God and their souls through the lives and stories of Clare and Francis. And if you want a pal to get gelato with, she’s your gal!
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REGISTER
PAY
Regarding payments
The balance of the Early Bird payment is due before December 1, 2024.
The balance of Regular Rate payment is due no later than Jan 31, 2025.
There are no refunds after these dates.
It is advisable to purchase travel insurance to protect against emergency situations (once you register, you’ll have access to insights on travel with lots of details on obtaining tickets, traveling and getting travel insurance).
The $500 deposit is an administrative fee that secures your space in this small pilgrimage and is nonrefundable. There are no exceptions to the refund policy. The balance of the program fee is due by the dates mentioned above and we will send you an invoice re: your final payment once you let us know your preferred payment.
When you register for the Assisi reFresh retreat, you are committing to the following requirements:
Regarding Entry to Italy
You will need a passport to travel to Italy. U.S. citizens can visit for up to six months on an automatic travel visa. EU citizens can enter visa-free. And your passport must NOT expire for 6 months after our retreat. If you are not traveling from the US or the EU, then you are responsible for checking with your local embassy for requirements. Please let us know if you need help with any documents to secure your visa or entry.
Regarding transportation to/from Assisi
You acknowledge that reFresh is not providing transportation for you from the airport to Assisi nor back. You'll have to find a way - and we'll provide you with lots of options to help you plan.
Regarding the physical demands of this retreat
Assisi, like most ancient cities in Italy, is built on the side of the hill. You can get around Assisi on public bus and with a taxi (sort of, but not ideally). Most of what we will do together requires walking - mostly on inclines, cobblestones and uneven steps and stairs.
We will be walking to/from the accommodations for most of our daily meditations. (Even the closest bus is almost 1/2 mile away).
You must be able to walk two to four hours (and up to 2-4 miles) per day. These walks are an important part of our experience, so please be as realistic as possible in assessing your fitness to participate.
By registering you agree that you are mobile enough to participate in the outings. (Please reach out if you have any concerns).
Regarding participation
This journey together on retreat will allow plenty of time for self-reflection, but also has daily times of gathering together. We will be cultivating a welcoming and non-judgmental space to listen and/or to share what God is stirring in our hearts.
By registering, you agree that you will participate in our group gatherings.
SUMMARY - you’ll see this again when we register you:
By registering, you are indicating that you are of sound mind and body, that you understand the physical, financial and participation requirements and are willing to support the collective welcoming atmosphere of our group experience before, during and after this retreat.
Sorry, no.
The Early Bird Payment is for full payment minus $350 only before Dec. 1, 2023
As already mentioned before, Assisi does take some stamina for walking. There are cobblestone streets and lots of uneven stairs. Most of our daily meditations are walking between 1-4 miles. You CAN get taxis and take buses to take you to some of the sights - but sometimes you even have to walk to catch those.
There IS an elevator in our accommodations that is helpful!
If you'd like to have a discussion about this, then please reach out to us.
Come and reFresh your heart,
reFresh your soul,
and reFresh yourself in the Extravagant Love of God that is ever so palpable in this city of Peace.
Please click the link below to register.
Please make sure to have your passport info and emergency contact info before you begin. You cannot save and come back to it.