On foot from Slovenia to Assisi

After 19 days of walking, on October 2, 2026, three pilgrims from Slovenia arrived joyfully at the place of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi, at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli in the Portiuncula. It was precisely here that the Poverello of Assisi met Sister Death 800 years ago, in 1226.

On the occasion of this Jubilee, the pilgrims – the couple Marta and Miha Hribovšek, together with Br. Robert Bahčič, rector of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Brezje, in Slovenia – set off on foot from Slovenia to reach the Franciscan city:. A sign of gratitude for 60 years of life, for the gift of Saint Francis and for the gift of being able to serve in the Order of Friars Minor and in the OFS.

On the second part of the journey, they especially revisited the path of Francis through various places, in which churches were built in honor of the saint or in memory of his visit. Wherever they stopped, they offered the faithful images of Our Lady Help of Christians – Marija Pomagaj – and of Saint Francis.

They were accompanied throughout the entire journey by prayer and contemplation. Prayers of thanksgiving and supplication for our Slovenian Franciscan Province of the Holy Cross, for the Order of the Friars Minor, for new spiritual vocations, for the perseverance of those who have already been called, for our beloved Slovenia and for peace in the world.

On Friday, October 2 at 3:35 PM, the Minister General of the OFM, Br. Massimo Fusarelli, received them in front of the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, who then accompanied them to the Porziuncola, imparted to them a blessing and gave them the Franciscan Tau.