ABOUT US

 

The idea to begin organizing pilgrimages to Italy began after Bret & Katia Thoman, SFO (both professed secular Franciscans) attended a series of retreats in Loreto, Italy in 2004 with the OFM Franciscan friars of the Marches region, and learned about the land of the Fioretti, or the Little Flowers of St. Francis. The friars had been organizing weekend excursions for Italians in these places for evangelization. Since then Bret and Katia began bringing Americans to those same places. Shortly after, the destinations expanded to include spiritual places in all of Italy.

 

Bret and Katia Thoman have been married since 2002 and made their profession as Secular Franciscans in 2006. They have two small children: Claremarie and Iacopo.

 

Bret has a masters degree in Italian and is completing a certificate in Franciscan Studies through St. Francis University’s ICFL program. He has worked as a teacher/translator of Italian and spent 5 years as a pilot flying for a small airline. He is an ardent admirer of St. Francis since his first trip to Assisi in 1992, which led to his conversion to the Catholic faith, taking St. Francis as confirmation name.

 

Katia was born in southern Italy in Apulia, and lived in Assisi for 7 years where she studied tourism and graduated from the University of Perugia. In Assisi she spent much time with and developed lasting friendships with the Franciscan friars and Sisters.

 

St. Francis Pilgrimages is spiritually directed by Fr. Linus DeSantis, OFM.Conv. and Cricket Aull, SFO. Cricket Aull, SFO, is formation director for her SFO fraternity in Georgia. She is well-known in the area for her contemplative spirituality. She is an experienced retreat leader, spiritual director, and Bible study teacher with a degree in Theology. She has been a speaker for the Magnificat Breakfast, Womans Aglow, and interdenominational women's conferences. Since 1995 she has presented numerous Days of Reflection and Retreats for Catholic schools, Stevens Ministers, Mothers and Daughters, Franciscan groups, Women's Guild, and others. Cricket is married and has 6 adult children.

 

Fr. Linus DeSantis, OFM.Conv. is a well-known and beloved friar of the St. Anthony of Padua Province, USA. He lives in community in Syracuse, NY and works as a college campus minister. He has participated in a variety of apostolates to include teaching on the secondary, college-seminary and university levels. He has dedicated himself to many ministries to include Pre-Cana, Engaged Encounter, TEC and more. He is currently the Regional Spiritual Assistant for the Brothers and Sisters of St. Francis Region of the Secular Franciscans. An evident love for St. Francis and things Franciscan coupled with his educational experience, Fr. Linus seeks to impart not only the knowledge but the spirit which animates the life of persons, places and things Franciscan.