Description
March 30, 2024. All recent openings have been taken.
June 10 – 16, 2024 • Assisi, Italy
The wisdom and teachings of the great saints of all traditions never lose their relevance. Rather, the gifts that they left behind, perhaps because they were saints, seemed to expand to cosmic-sized jewels of wisdom, blessing the entire human community.
This feature is certainly true about the work and life of the renowned Italian saint, Francis of Assisi. And in our workshop time together, we will share the rare experience of learning about the life of Francis and the mystical power of his simple but extraordinary teachings, in the place where he was born (and is buried) and lived so much of his life.
Among the highlights I plan to share during our time together is the significance of Francis being known as the saint “watching over our/the ecology.” We could be tempted to say, “He better do a better job and fast”, but perhaps that’s where we come in. We have now entered the era of what I consider, “bio-spiritual-ecology”, or realizing through our collective crises, challenges and extraordinary technology and achievements, that we are the engines of co-creation on this planet. Events do not happen to us; they happen through us. I intend to discuss this empowering truth about the emerging nature of God at length in our workshop, as it weaves perfectly into the ecological theology of Saint Frances. I think that one of the great mystical revelations that left the great saints madly in love with the holy design of this Universe is that they actually experienced intimate creative partnership with the Divine, a realization so indescribable that all they could do was “surrender to love”, as a result.
Saint Francis did not come to his vocation easily. Rather, like most people who experience what it means to “be called” to their life’s vocation, Francis was an archetypal path of ego-to-soul awakening that is becoming more familiar to mainstream life. I intend to delve into this archetypal journey at length in this workshop, as I believe so many people can identify with the stages that unfold on it. Simply described: First, we pursue the life our ego has designed/imagined for us; second, we fail at that, perhaps many times; third, we experience deep humiliation; fourth, the retreat; and fifth, the calling.
Finally, we will spend time discussing the power of prayer, grace, healing and why Francis insisted upon humility as an essential protection for the health – and oddly the wealth – of your soul.
I hope you will join me. I am thrilled beyond description to share these teachings with you in beautiful Assisi, Italy.
Love,
Caroline
Embracing the Wisdom & Grace of Francis of Assisi
Journey Itinerary
Monday, June 10, 2024
Morning – Hotel Check In
Afternoon – A tour of Old Town Assisi – Piazza del Comune
In this central square in Assisi, we will visit the Church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva as our first stop. This 14th-century, Gothic-style church was built from a former Greek temple & still retains its façade.
In this afternoon walking tour, we will enjoy the local pastries and sweets of the region, visit the Cathedral of San Rufino ( the baptism place of Francis of Assisi and Saint Clare) and the Basilica di Santa Chiara which is famous for its Romanesque facade and the location of the remains of Saint Clare.
Tuesday, June 11, 2024
Morning – Pilgrimage to San Damiano
Built in the 12th century, it was the first monastery of the Order of Saint Clare, where Saint Clare built her community.
It was here St Francis heard his calling – One day out in the countryside to meditate. Finding himself near San Damiano, which threatened ruin, old as it was, driven by the impulse of the Holy Spirit, he entered to pray. Kneeling in prayer before the image of the Crucifix, he was invaded with great spiritual consolation and, as he affixed his tearful eyes on the cross of the Lord, with the ears of his body he heard a voice descend to him from the cross and say three times Francis, go and repair my church which, as you see, is all in ruins!. On hearing that voice, Francis remained astonished and trembling, being in the church alone and, perceiving in his heart the power of divine language, felt kidnapped of his senses. Finally returning to his senses, he girded himself to obey, and concentrated everything on the mission to repair the church of walls, although the divine word was referring principally to the Church which Christ purchased by his blood, as the Holy Spirit had made him understand and how he later revealed to his fellow brothers.
Lunch & Wine Tasting in the Old Town
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Morning – Workshop with Caroline Myss at Nun Assisi
Afternoon – Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi
The mother church of the Roman Catholic Order of Friars Minor Conventual in Assisi is where Saint Francis was born and died. We will visit his tomb and the scared frescoes of the interior Upper and Lower Churches
Thursday, June 13, 2024
Morning – Workshop with Caroline Myss at Nun Assisi
Afternoon – Monte Casale & La Verna
Guided tours of the sanctuary of Monte Casale & La Verna Sanctuary with the famous Chapel of the Birds and where St Francis was visited by the Virgin Mary.
Friday, June 14, 2024
Morning – Final workshop with Caroline Myss at Nun Assisi
Afternoon – Hermitage of Carceri of Saint Francis
The architectural complex called “Hermitage of Carceri” started and developed around a grotto in which Saint Francis of Assisi used to retreat in order to pray. The Hermitage of Carceri is a place of memory, kept alive by the Franciscan friars who still live there; and a place of witness, as well, permeated with spirituality. Here preserved is not only the very place where Francis talked with God, but also the way in which the little poor friar kept in contact with the Lord while closely in touch with Nature.
Saturday, June 15, 2024
Afternoon – Museo della Porziuncola & Basilica Santa Maria Angeli
It was here that the young Francis of Assisi understood his vocation and renounced the world in order to live in poverty among the poor, and thus started the Franciscan movement.
Sunday, June 16, 2024
Hotel Check Out and Depart
Accommodations
CMED has reserved rooms at the finest hotels in the heart of Assisi. Hotels in this district are small and exclusive, so our group will be divided among 4 hotels.
Private shuttles for those who want them will be provided to all events.
Assisi Sacred Journey Hotels
These hotels are a short walk to the Nun Assisi, where Caroline’s workshops will be presented.
Asisium Boutique Hotel
In the heart of Assisi, inside a historic building from the 1200s finely renovated in 2020, history and design come together to give life to the Asisium Boutique Hotel. The Hotel is located in an ideal position to quickly reach all the major artistic and religious places of interest in the city on foot.
Hotel Ideale
Lovely small family-run hotel in the most charming upper end of Assisi. Hotel Ideale is a haven of tranquility in the most beautiful setting with garden and terrace, fabulous views overlooking the valley and Assisi.
Giotto Hotel & Spa
Giotto Hotel & Spa Assisi enjoys a strategic position overlooking the Umbrian valley with panoramic restaurant, spa and conference center. Being in the center of Assisi, and a short walk from the major monuments of the city, and a few minutes from the major centers of interest of the Umbria region.
Nun Assisi Upgrade
All Nun Assisi rooms are sold out.
The Nun Assisi is the hotel where Caroline will be staying and her workshops will be presented.
The Hotel is the location of the best Spa in Assisi – The Nun Spa Circuit. Since 2000 years, this is a place devoted to the worship of water, where the ancient Romans reminiscence still live within a magical environment.
The plush gardens of the Relais house an outdoor terrace with a breathtaking view of Assisi and a Michelin-starred restaurant Benedikto.
Every Suite boasts natural leather for beds and armchairs, fine linen for curtains and bed sheets, and high-quality terry toweling, dedicated special attention and fine interior design in every space.
Registration fees include single occupancy hotel accommodations, breakfast, and Tuesday lunch. Travel expenses and other drinks & meals are not included.
Deposit Payment – Please note your deposit payment is non-refundable. Balance payments are due no later than March 27, 2024. If balance payment not received by this deadline, you will forfeit your registration and deposit.
Cancellation Policy – Written cancellation immediately after registration: $1,500.00 US cancellation fee per person. Cancellation after April 10, 2024: 50% of total workshop cost per person. No refunds after May 24, 2024. No refund for unused portions of the tour, including but not limited to, missed meals, hotel nights and sightseeing.
Disclaimer – The itinerary included is correct at the time of going to press but may be subject to change. Whilst we do not anticipate changes, in the case of unforeseen site closures or limitations, changes may be made at our discretion. In the rare instance of a change, a suitable substitution will be made in line with the theme of the retreat.
To mitigate the risk of unforeseen circumstances causing you to cancel, we recommend you purchase travel insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
