Following Francis and Clare

A Complete Pilgrim’s Guide to Assisi, La Verna, and the Rieti Valley

By: Bret Thoman

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

For centuries, pilgrims have journeyed to Assisi, long considered the spiritual heart of Italy. They continue to come by the millions to walk in the footsteps of St. Francis and St. Clare — and in doing so, many discover peace, renewal, and a deeper encounter with God. Assisi belongs not only to Italians or Catholics; people of every nation and background have found a unique tranquility in this timeless place.

Following Francis and Clare is the most comprehensive Catholic pilgrim's guide to Assisi and the Franciscan places in central Italy. Drawing on more than two decades of experience leading pilgrims through the sacred sites of Assisi and central Italy, author Bret Thoman brings life experiences and his formation to this work. A member of the Secular Franciscan Order since 2003, with academic formation in Italian studies and Franciscan spirituality, every page is filled with historical knowledge and spiritual wisdom.

This guide leads readers through the most important sites connected to the lives of Francis and Clare, including:

• The sacred sites of Assisi connected to the lives of Francis and Clare
• Mount Subasio and the Spoleto Valley
• La Verna — the mountain sanctuary where St. Francis received the stigmata
• The four Franciscan hermitages of the Rieti Valley

Each section provides historical background, photographs, and spiritual reflections for every site. More than a travel manual, this book is written to help readers enter into the heart of the Franciscan tradition that shaped these two saints. Reflection questions are included to deepen the pilgrim’s experience.

Whether you are planning a pilgrimage or retreat in Assisi, or seeking inspiration from home, this guide invites you to encounter not only the history of Francis and Clare, but the living spirituality that continues to animate their birth city.