Saint Francis University to Celebrate "The Month of Miracles"

Loretto, PA (08/23/2024) — Saint Francis University is proud to announce a month-long series of public events celebrating "The Month of Miracles," beginning September 4, 2024. This special celebration honors the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi receiving the stigmata, marking a significant milestone in the life of the saint and the Franciscan tradition.

The idea for "The Month of Miracles" was born during a 2023 pilgrimage to Assisi, where a group of students, faculty, and staff from Saint Francis University, guided by the Catholic Franciscan Friars, spent several days immersed in the rich history and spiritual heritage of St. Francis of Assisi. Inspired by their experiences and the miracles they learned about, the group sought to bring that profound connection back to Loretto.

Melissa Garrity, from the departments of social work and psychology and a member of the pilgrimage group, shared how the concept evolved: "There was a discussion about maybe we could have an event that showcased a few of the things we had learned about. We said that we would definitely have to focus on La Verna, where St. Francis received the Stigmata; Greccio, where the first nativity scene took place; San Damiano, where the Crucified Christ challenged St. Francis to 'Go rebuild my church' and St. Clare warded off an army with the Holy Eucharist; and we would also need to tell the story of Blessed Carlo Acutis. We were trying to figure out how we could put that all in one event. I joked it would take us a month to get through it, and I wrote in the top of my journal a 'Month of Miracles.'"

This inspiration led to the successful organization of a Living Nativity called "The Journey to Bethlehem" last December, celebrating the 800th anniversary of the first nativity scene in Greccio. The event's success has ensured its place as an annual campus tradition during the Christmas season. Building on that momentum, the pilgrimage group, with support from Campus Ministry and funding through the Excellence in Education grant, has expanded its vision into a month-long celebration of faith, miracles, and community.

Celebrating "The Month of Miracles"

Beginning on September 4, 2024, "The Month of Miracles" will feature daily events highlighting different saints and miracles. Activities include praise and worship in the Immaculate Conception Chapel, SoulCore sessions in the Sunken Garden, spiritual nature walks along Loretto trails, lunch and learn sessions, movie discussions, a blessing of athletes, a blessing of pets, a living rosary on the campus mall, a golf outing, a fishing derby, and more. The highlight of the month will be a special Mass on September 14 at the campus Grotto, marking the official anniversary of the stigmata. The celebration will conclude on October 4, the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi.

In conjunction with these events, Saint Francis University and Franciscan University in Steubenville will co-host "Marked with the Wounds of Christ: An Academic Conference on the Stigmatization of St. Francis" from September 12 to 14. Some sessions will be live-streamed to the Loretto campus, with a keynote address by Dr. Bill Cook on September 13.

The pilgrimage to Assisi was made possible through the T.O.R. Endowment in Franciscan Studies and Roman Catholic Theology, established by the generous support of Lou DiCerbo, CLU, ChFC, a 1959 graduate of Saint Francis University. The Month of Miracles is the culmination of the pilgrimage group's spiritual journey and their desire to share that transformative experience with the entire campus and surrounding communities.

"The Month of Miracles will celebrate our heritage at Saint Francis University," said Garrity. "This idea came out of pilgrimage group talks, but it was inspired through the years by so many saints and the teachings of our faith, and it will be brought alive by our entire community."

For more information on the events and activities during "The Month of Miracles," please visit francis.edu/blog/month-miracles-saint-francis-university-celebrates-800th-anniversary-stigmata

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