About Us
St. Francis Pilgrimages began after Bret and Katia Thoman - both Secular (Third Order) Franciscans - attended a retreat in Loreto, Italy led by local Franciscans in 2003. The friars took them on a mini-pilgrimage where they discovered the hidden Franciscan places of that region. Immediately, they had a desire to bring English-speaking people on such a pilgrimage. Since then Bret and Katia have dedicated themselves full-time to their pilgrimage ministry, and destinations now include all of Italy.
They have organized over 40 pilgrimages and personally journeyed with 1,000 people of more than 20 different nationalities throughout all of Italy. Groups have been large or small, and have originated in the US, Canada, Ireland, Guam, Singapore, Japan, and Malaysia; they have been parishes, families, colleges, youth groups, retreat centers, secular Franciscan fraternities/ regions, and others.
Bret and Katia Thoman have been married since 2002, and they made their profession as Secular Franciscans in 2006. They have two small children, Claremarie and Iacopo. They live in Georgia, but visit Italy often.
Bret has a masters degree in Italian and a certificate in Franciscan studies. He is currently the director of formation for his local fraternity in Georgia, Immaculate Conception. He has worked as a teacher and translator of Italian, as an airline pilot, and has written two books (see below). He currently writes, gives flight instruction, and is a part-time instructor for St. Francis University's Franciscan studies program (ICFL) Click here for link. He has translated two books for Pauline Books and Media: one written by Archbishop Bruno Forte, and another written by Fr. Raneiro Cantalamessa, OFM.Cap. Bret interpreted live on CNN the Papal Conclave and announced the election of Pope Francis; he also interpreted live on CNN Pope Francis's Inaugural Mass one week later. Bret also runs a separate company specializing in customized group or individual travel to Italy. Click here for link.
Katia was born in Apulia in southern Italy. She lived in Assisi for 7 years where she graduated with a degree in tourism from the University of Perugia and worked in several hotels. In Assisi she developed lifelong friendships with the Franciscan friars and sisters.
Bret and Katia's life experiences in Italy, their vocation as Secular Franciscans, and their devotion to Franciscan spirituality make their pilgrimages a personal, unique experience.
Visit Bret's personal website at: www.bretthoman.com
Visit Italy Journeys at: www.Italyjourneys.com
Click here to read testimonies from previous pilgrims.
They have organized over 40 pilgrimages and personally journeyed with 1,000 people of more than 20 different nationalities throughout all of Italy. Groups have been large or small, and have originated in the US, Canada, Ireland, Guam, Singapore, Japan, and Malaysia; they have been parishes, families, colleges, youth groups, retreat centers, secular Franciscan fraternities/ regions, and others.
Bret and Katia Thoman have been married since 2002, and they made their profession as Secular Franciscans in 2006. They have two small children, Claremarie and Iacopo. They live in Georgia, but visit Italy often.
Bret has a masters degree in Italian and a certificate in Franciscan studies. He is currently the director of formation for his local fraternity in Georgia, Immaculate Conception. He has worked as a teacher and translator of Italian, as an airline pilot, and has written two books (see below). He currently writes, gives flight instruction, and is a part-time instructor for St. Francis University's Franciscan studies program (ICFL) Click here for link. He has translated two books for Pauline Books and Media: one written by Archbishop Bruno Forte, and another written by Fr. Raneiro Cantalamessa, OFM.Cap. Bret interpreted live on CNN the Papal Conclave and announced the election of Pope Francis; he also interpreted live on CNN Pope Francis's Inaugural Mass one week later. Bret also runs a separate company specializing in customized group or individual travel to Italy. Click here for link.
Katia was born in Apulia in southern Italy. She lived in Assisi for 7 years where she graduated with a degree in tourism from the University of Perugia and worked in several hotels. In Assisi she developed lifelong friendships with the Franciscan friars and sisters.
Bret and Katia's life experiences in Italy, their vocation as Secular Franciscans, and their devotion to Franciscan spirituality make their pilgrimages a personal, unique experience.
Visit Bret's personal website at: www.bretthoman.com
Visit Italy Journeys at: www.Italyjourneys.com
Click here to read testimonies from previous pilgrims.
Books written by Bret Thoman, OFS:
"The Road to Peace in Assisi"
Read an excerpt of Bret Thoman's book, "The Road to Peace in Assisi", by clicking the cover. Click here to purchase book or email us for a discount
From Worldly Princess to the Foot of the Cross: The Life and Writings of St. Camilla Battista da Varano, OSC
Read an excerpt of Bret Thoman's newest book, "From worldly princess to the Foot of the Cross: The Life and Writings of St. Camilla Battista Varano, OSC", by clicking the cover. Click here to purchase book or email us for a discount
St. Francis Pilgrimages
PO Box 143
Senoia, Georgia 30276
USA
bthoman@stfrancispilgrimages.com
Tel: 770-402-4335
PO Box 143
Senoia, Georgia 30276
USA
bthoman@stfrancispilgrimages.com
Tel: 770-402-4335