Franciscan Saints to Guide You on Pilgrimage in the Year of St. Francis

As we celebrate the Jubilee Year of St. Francis, we encourage you to learn more about the saints who lived the Franciscan charisms on pilgrimage!

This guide details some of the Franciscan churches and shrines dedicated to the holy people who lived the way of St. Francis throughout Europe. A lot of these sites can be added into a pilgrimage to Rome, Turin, Krakow, or Lisieux!

ITALY

St. Clare of Assisi

St. Clare’s body is preserved in the Basilica of Saint Clare, and her family’s home was located near the Cathedral of San Rufino in Assisi. You can also visit San Damiano where St. Clare lived with the Poor Ladies.

St. Agnes of Assisi

St. Agnes was the sister of St. Clare. Her remains are preserved within the chapel of the Basilica of Saint Clare.

St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina

St. Padre Pio belonged to the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin. His body is preserved and venerated within the crypt of the Church of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina (also known as the Sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie) in San Giovanni Rotondo.

St. Bernardine of Siena

The incorrupt body of St. Bernadine is preserved in the Basilica di S. Bernardino, L’Aquila. St. Bernadine was the General of the Friars of the Strict Observance.

Blessed Giles of Laurenzana

The incorrupt body of Blessed Giles can be venerated at Mother Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Cielo in Laurenzana. Blessed Giles was a lay Franciscan brother who spent his days as a hermit, immersed in prayer and penance within the garden of the friary.

Bl. Amadeus IX of Savoy

The Basilica of Superga in Turin came about as a sign of gratitude from Blessed Duke Victor Amadeus II of Savoy after the victory during the Siege of Turin in 1706. He made it his mission to serve the poor and protect the Franciscan friars to make sure they could continue their holy work.

St. Zita of Lucca

St. Zita was a part of the Third Order of St. Francis, and devoutly served an Italian family as their maid for 48 years. Her body is incorrupt and venerated at the Basilica of San Frediano in Lucca.

St. Anthony of Padua

We have a distinct article for this Franciscan patron saint of lost things! Read more here.

POLAND

Blessed Angela Salawa of Krakow

The Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Kraków (Klasztor Franciszkanów w Krakowie) houses her remains, specifically in the Chapel of the Passion. Bl. Angela was a Secular Franciscan mystic and known for her work caring for the wounded of WWI.

St. Kinga of Poland

The Daughter of St. Jadwiga (Hedwig) Queen of Poland. She stepped into her mother’s role as queen, married, and after her husband’s death, she entered the Poor Clare monastery in Stary Sacz. The chapel in the Wieliczka Salt Mine is dedicated to her.

St. Maximillian Kolbe

St. Maximilian Kolbe was a Conventual Franciscan Friar. You can visit the cell of his martyrdom in Auschwitz and the site of his printing press within his monastery, Niepokalanów, which translates to "City of the Immaculate Mother of God.”

FRANCE

St. Louis IX King of France

St. Louis IX Belonged to the Third Order Secular of St. Francis. He is buried in the Basilica of Saint-Denis. You can also visit Sainte-Chapell, which he commissioned to house the Crown of Thorns when it was first brought to France.

St. Isabelle of France

St. Isabelle belonged to the Third Order of St. Francis as a devoted layperson. She is the sister of St. Louis IX. She is buried in the Basilica of Saint-Denis.

St. Zelie Martin

St. Zelie, the mother of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, belonged to the Third Order of St. Francis. Consider visiting Sanctuaire Alencon, the home of Sts. Louis and Zelie and where St. Thérèse was born. In Lisieux you might visit Saint-Pierre Cathedral, which is the home parish of the Martin family.

Pilgrimage with St. Francis!

Learn more about the places significant to St. Francis of Assisi here.