OBERAMMERGAU 2022
A Unique Pilgrimage Assisi, La Verna and The Passion Play
Wed. 11th to Wed. 18th MAY 2022 Led by Canon Gordon Dey Pilgrimage 2022 Assisi, La Verona and The Passion Play
The Itinerary
DAY ONE Wednesday, May 11th Manchester to Assisi Meet and check-in at Manchester Airport for the morning flight via Frankfurt to Florence. On arrival, transfer by private coach to the Grand Hotel Assisi, arriving approx. 20.30 for room allocation and evening meal. Dinner & Overnight in ASSISI.
DAY TWO Thursday, May 12th ASSISI – The Upper Town We make a walking orientation of the walled and traffic free Upper Town to visit: Porta Moiano, La Stellata , Piazza del Commune, St. Maria Minerva, St. Maria Maggiore - locations that enable us to recall the history of the town of Assisi, and the early lives of Francis and Clare.
Basilica of St Clare, Basilica of St. Francis; we visit the two basilicas that honour Francis and Clare. We give thanks for the way they reshaped the church of their own days, and the inspiration they bring to us today Cathedral of St Rufino – we visit the church where both Francis and Claire were baptised. St Francis Woodland – in the afternoon we spend time in this peaceful place that was a source of inspiration to Francis. We recall how Francis saw all living things as his ‘brothers and sisters’, and, as with Jesus, spent much time in prayer in natural places, seeing the creation as a gift from God that had much to teach him. After supper, we meet for worship and fellowship, sharing our perceptions of Francis and Claire Dinner & Overnight in ASSISI.
Basilica of St. Francis Pilgrimage 2022 Assisi, La Verna and The Passion Play
DAY THREE Friday, May 13th The Call and Ministry of Francis and Clare
San Damiano; we spend the morning visiting this inspirational place - a tiny broken down chapel, that Francis was to rebuild, and where he first heard God’s call to ‘rebuild my church which is in ruins’. Later it became the location where Clare first established her ‘Convent of the Poor Clares’. There is much that will inspire and challenge us as we reflect on their stories.
Rivotorto sanctuary; we visit this first home of Francis and his followers, before visiting the Portiuncola, nowadays housed within the Church of St Mary and the Angels. The Portiuncola became a spiritual base for the fast growing Franciscan movement . We recall that it was from here that Francis went to Rome to seek the Pope’s permission for their new ‘Franciscan’ Rule, and it was here he was brought shortly before his death.
St Francis Grotto; some may wish to visit Eremo delle Carceri - a hermitage in a steep forest gorge upon Monte Subasio, four kilometres above Assisi, which has a very special Franciscan history. Dinner & Overnight in ASSISI.
San Damiano Pilgrimage 2022 Assisi, La Verna and The Passion Play
DAY FOUR Saturday, May 14th Journey to La Verna Leave Assisi by coach after breakfast and travel north for our journey to La Verna.
Lake Trasimeno; we take a boat ride to the island of Isola Maggiore where Francis fasted during Lent 1211. We enjoy a stroll through this peaceful and prayerful location - a major annual migration route for millions of birds.
Lake Trasimeno
La Verna; we arrive at this holy mountain retreat that remains a place of Franciscan retreat and pilgrimage. It will be our home for two nights. Mt La Verna rises 4,000 ft above the Casentino valley, and was given to Francis in 1213 to be a place of retreat and prayer. Here in 1224, shortly before his death, Francis received the stigmata, or wounds of Christ.
After our evening meal, we meet for worship and prayer together. Dinner & Overnight in La Verna
DAY FIVE Sunday, May 15th La Verna Sanctuary After breakfast; we share in Holy Communion together, and then visit the large monastic site with its various locations associated with Francis – the Corridor and Chapel of the Stigmata, the Museum, the Monastery and its Cloisters, the Basilica and other churches built in memory of Francis. After lunch; we visit the gardens and enjoy the peaceful landscape that surrounds the Sanctuary
Evening Meal; at our Guesthouse, followed by a time of reflection and prayer together Dinner & Overnight in La Verna
La Verna Sanctuary Pilgrimage 2022 Assisi, La Verna and The Passion Play
DAY SIX Monday, May 16th Journey to Oberammergau via - We enjoy a spectacular drive through northern Italy via Austria into Bavaria, through the Alps.
We make brief stops in Verona for lunch and Innsbruck for a tea break, before we arrive in Oberammergau and make our way to our accommodation Dinner & Overnight in Oberammergau district.
Verona Pilgrimage 2022 Assisi, La Verna and The Passion Play
DAY SEVEN Tuesday,. May 17th The Passion Play We relax after breakfast and enjoy the beauty of the village of Oberammergau before having lunch together. We attend the afternoon performance of the play in the special ‘open air’ Passion Play Theatre.
After our evening meal in the village we attend the 2nd half of the play. Dinner & Overnight in Oberammergau district.
DAY EIGHT Wednesday, May 18th Munich to Manchester Our coach departs after breakfast, and we leisurely travel through Bavarian villages to Munich, with a stop for lunch and midday prayer that will enable us to give thanks for our travels together.
Oberammergau Village PROJECTED FLIGHTS - TO BE FINALISED BY MAY 2021
FROM MANCHESTER AIRPORT WITH LUFTHANSA
OUTWARD: INWARD: Manchester via Frankfurt to Florence Munich/Manchester Flights LH943/314 Flight LH62504 Depart 11.20 Depart 21.45 Arrive 17.35 Arrive 22.50
THE ACCOMMODATION ASSISI Grand Hotel With roof gardens overlooking the magnificent Valle Umbra
LA VERNA La Verna Sanctuary Located on the Tuscan Apennines covered by a forest of beech and fir trees.
OBERAMMERGAU Hotel Seinz Bad Kohlgrub In the suburbs of Oberammergau.