A pilgrimage to Franciscan Italy for Siena’s president and trustees culminated in a special private audience with Pope Francis.
To help members of the Siena community connect spiritually and historically with the College’s roots, Fr. Mark Reamer ‘83, O.F.M., D.Min., guardian of Siena’s friary and vice president for mission, organizes and leads pilgrimages to sites that once welcomed St. Bernardine of Siena, St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare of Assisi. This latest trip in April saw a group of Siena trustees, friars and President Chuck Seifert, Ph.D. walk in the footsteps of the saints.
Bill McGoldrick ’68, chair of the governance committee of Siena’s Board of Trustees, knew well the affect these pilgrimages have had on students, faculty, staff and trustees who had taken part in the reflection and celebration of Franciscan values at the very sites where they were first sown. One of the responsibilities of his committee is education for board members, and McGoldrick knew exactly what would make a meaningful impact.
“I wanted more trustees to experience that,” he said. “Fr. Mark and I began to plan this pilgrimage as a way for trustees to deepen their faith, develop a greater understanding of St. Francis and the movement he launched, and to know one another better in that context.”
This pilgrimage featured an exceptional addition to the itinerary: an audience with Pope Francis, the first pontiff to take the name of the saint who founded the religious order that in turn founded Siena College. The connection was made through the personal friendship between His Holiness and Br. Michael Perry, O.F.M., director of Siena’s Laudato Sí Center for Integral Ecology and former leader of the worldwide Franciscan order.
In a small meeting room attached to the Paul VI Pavilion in Vatican City, Pope Francis greeted each member of the delegation with a handshake and a smile. The pope was informed of the recent Board of Trustees resolution committing Siena to becoming a leader in sustainability, integral ecology, and ecological conversion. He encouraged President Seifert and Board Chairman Tom Baldwin ‘81 to persevere with implementation of the objectives outlined in the papal encyclical Laudato Sí – for the sake of the planet, the poor, and all those on Earth.
“He reminded us that being pope is not an easy job and asked for our prayers,” said Br. Michael. “The delegation immediately responded in a unified – and slightly prepared – manner with the words ‘God bless you, Pope Francis!’ All of us were struck by his simple yet powerful presence, his desire to connect with each member of the pilgrimage delegation, and his unwavering commitment to make our world a more just, peace-filled, holistic place for all.”
The pope was invited to participate either in person or via a video message in Siena’s October 10-11 sustainability symposium, organized by the Laudato Sí Center.
“The pilgrimage was better than anyone expected and the opportunity to meet Pope Francis was awe inspiring,” said McGoldrick. “It was an experience we will all remember forever, and my hope is that there will be more opportunities in the future for similar pilgrimage experiences for trustees, alumni and friends of the College.”
The momentous meeting at the Vatican was just one highlight on an immersive journey that strengthened the pilgrims’ emotional and spiritual ties to the College’s founding Franciscan values and underscored the themes of incarnation and simplicity that are central to Franciscan teachings. The group began their journey on April 11 with a scenic drive to Orvieto, then on to the namesake city of Siena. They viewed the relics of St. Bernardine, his face mask, and the original IHS sunburst he created by Bernardine that inspired the College’s logo and mace. On their way to Assisi, the pilgrims stopped in LaVerna, where Francis received the stigmata. Their journey was completed in Rome.
“These experiences have reinforced my conviction that Siena College’s commitment to a person-centered, values-driven education is more relevant and vital than ever,” said President Seifert, who was joined on the trip by his wife, Deb. “As we navigate the challenges of the modern world, the principles of peace, respect, and service to the greater good guide our path forward.
“Let us continue to draw inspiration from the lessons of our past and the ongoing work of our community, coming together to foster an environment of innovation and empathy. Our journey through Franciscan Italy was a reaffirmation that leading with our values is not only possible but imperative for our future.”