Assisi Leadership Exercises in the Footsteps of Saint Francis: A Silent & Joyful Pilgrimage-Retreat (LCF)

Pilgrimage with USF to Assisi and commemorate the 800th Anniversary of Saint Francis' death. This is an itinerant silent retreat with joyful convivial moments and educational opportunities to think about our own leadership journey and call in light of the humanistic leadership lessons of Saint Francis and utilizing a Jesuit (Ignatian) pedagogy. We will explore Humanistic (Franciscan) leadership with Social Justice (Jesuit) perspectives.

This journey is advised by Marco Tavanti, author and professor of leadership at University of San Francisco, who grew up in the places of Saint Francis and the Franciscan tradition. He is the author of We Are Francesco: The Seven Humanistic Leadership Lessons of Saint Francis of Assisi (Bene Comune Press, 2026).

At the beginning of each day, participants will receive a short orientation by Dr. Tavanti alongside selected leadership lessons from the book. We will then explore sites under the guidance of the book. We'll have lunch at Tuscan restaurants, and in the evening, reflect in our journals re: the consequences and implications of these lessons for our lives, and make plans of real action for our own leadership practices.

At dinner and during the evening, participants are encouraged gather in small groups and discuss their reflections and actionable plans. After the 5 days of immersion, participants can select additional sites and additional lessons to explore.