Malvern Cluster visit to Assisi, 25th – 31st May 2025

By Maggie Griffiths, parishioner at St Joseph's, Malvern

I had always wanted to go to Assisi and when I saw the flyer for St Wulstan’s Parish Malvern Cluster visit to Assisi, The Life and Legacy of Blessed Carlo Acutis, I decided to book a place.

Ten of us travelled to Heathrow where we were joined by another two of the group and we flew to Perugia. We were met at the airport by Gwen Wiseman who lives in Assisi, was our guide for the trip and is an expert on Blessed Carlo.

On Monday morning, Gwen gave us a talk about him in the lovely church grounds of Saint Maria Maggiore where he is buried (below picture). He was only 15 when he died from acute leukaemia on 11th October 2006. He did not leave lots of writings rather he left simple profound sayings to be used and reflected on. Each day of the pilgrimage was themed around one of these sayings, the first day Gwen chose to use ‘Jesus is my Highway to Heaven’.

Blessed Carlo was born in London on 3rd May 1991 and he and his family moved back to Milan in September of the same year. Growing up he showed a deep love of God, always wanting to visit any church he passed. He also had a deep love for St Francis and Saint Clare and visited Assisi often, and told his parents that he wanted to be buried there. At his funeral the church was full of people from all over Milan that he had helped in his daily life, the homeless, refugees and people from all walks of life that had been touched by him. He was originally buried in Piedmont but in January 2007 he was transferred to the municipal cemetery in Assisi. Six years after his death on 12th October 2012 the cause for his Beatification and Canonisation was officially opened and on 5th July 2018 Pope Benedict declared him Venerable. In January 2019 his body was exhumed and found to be still intact and in April 2019 it was placed behind a glass tomb at the Shrine of the Renunciation in Assisi.

Following a miracle to a young boy in Brazil, attributed to his intercession, this led to his Beatification by Pope Francis on October 10th 2020 in the Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi.

Blessed Carlo was due to be canonised in April this year but sadly due to the death of Pope Francis it was postponed. He will now be canonised on Sunday 7th September 2025 at St Peter’s in Rome by Pope Leo X1V.

More information about Blessed Carlo is available from the official website

Each day of our visit started with Mass said by a Franciscan priest, the priest that was with us most of the week was Father Phil from Philadelphia. He was in Assisi on holiday but was happy to help us with our pilgrimage. He was a joyful, witty man and gave us much food for thought and reflection in his homilies.

We also visited various places linked to St Francis including the Basilica where he is buried and Eremo Carceri where he went to pray and reflect. We had Mass in the woods, it was a beautiful experience and one of the outside chapels was dedicated to St Joseph so I felt very much at home.

On our last day we went to Lake Trasimeno where St Francis spent Lent in 1211 and had our final meal together overlooking the lake.

What are my main memories about the pilgrimage? 
•    The kindness from everyone and the generous welcome of the people of Assisi 
•    The beauty of Assisi in its buildings and art
•    The feeling of peace especially in the Basilica of Saint Francis and at Eremo Carceri
•    The nuns we met for their hospitality 
•    Exploring and walking round the City despite all the many steps

With thanks to my fellow pilgrims for their care, kindness and good humour, not to mention the odd glass of red wine! Thanks also to Gwen and Jane from JC Journeys who organised such a wonderful week.

Photographs:

Main: At Eremo delle Carceri (Hermitage of the Prisons).

Above: At the church of Carlo's tomb, Santa Maria Maggiore, also known as the Sactuary of the Spoliation (of St Francis).

Celebrating the Canonisation of Blessed Carlo Acutis