GALA Pilgrim House

31/05/2026

Referring to this a lot these days…. The Pilgrim’s Motto:

1. I am willing to be flexible.
2. I’m neither in control nor in a hurry.
3. I journey in faith, hope, and peace.
4. I know God will provide for me.
5. My goal is the journey, not the destination.
6. I joyfully accept today’s sacrifices, challenges, and blessings.

from Following Francis and Clare by Bret Thoman

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 It....

21/05/2026

Do you know the significance of the Tau? The last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, for Christians, the Tau has come to represent a prefiguring of the cross of Christ and the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies. St. Francis embraced the tau for its humility, drew it often as a reminder of his fidelity to the crucified Christ, and and eventually signed his letters with it instead of with his name. Franciscans often wear one on a leather strap or rope around their necks.

We wanted our logo for GALA, the Gate of Abundant Life Association, to incorporate the Tau. Which version do you like best? Vote by liking or commenting!

15/05/2026

How beautiful is THIS?!
Our very first group of pilgrims arrives 2 weeks from today!

12 high school seniors, 3 teachers, and 1 priest. In keeping with a 20+year-old tradition, the young men graduating from this Pennsylvania boys boarding school, St Gregory the Great Academy, will walk over 120 miles on the Way of St Francis to Rome through Assisi taking NO money for food or lodging, only singing and juggling in town squares, sharing the joy of the Lord, and passing the hat for food.

We couldn’t be more thrilled to be able to offer hospitality to these true Franciscan pilgrims while they are in Assisi!

08/05/2026

Look what we made today! A map of several of the major Franciscan pilgrimage sites in Assisi in relationship to the pilgrim house. Still confirming details on our first pilgrim group—can’t wait to share when finalized!

07/05/2026

Grass is cut at the pilgrim house. And we are close to booking our first pilgrims… stay tuned … looks to be quite the remarkable group!

04/05/2026

Redbuds are Oklahoma’s state tree. I had no idea they grew in Assisi until we visited last month and saw them blooming everywhere—including by the beehive on our property!

It felt like another of a zillion small miracles and confirmations leading us to this place.

29/04/2026

We love Teresa’s sweatshirt because that’s what we’re all offering—what we have, meager though it may be, like the little boy with 5 loaves and 2 fish, to Jesus to see what He will do. May you multiple it, Lord.

29/04/2026

Wisteria seeds, rosemary and succulent cuttings from the Medici’s house. Renovations require permits which take time, but we can plant seeds in the meantime ….

26/04/2026

Gospel reading at the Basilica today after we closed on the GATE OF ABUNDANT LIFE (GALA) pilgrim house on Friday:

“I am the GATE. Whoever enters through me will be saved… I have come so that they might have LIFE and have it more ABUNDANTLY.” (John 10: 9-10, emphasis added)

Coincidence? I think not.

Thanks be to God.

24/04/2026

Closing Day! The site of the pilgrim house has been secured. Huge step in our journey complete….