Italy
«In Assisi, we renewed the deepest meaning of our service: making ourselves small, staying close, and always placing the person at the centre.
In a time marked by wars, loneliness, and new fragilities, the Misericordia model continues to remind us that one can serve without demanding, help without dominating, and be competent without losing humanity and tenderness.
From Assisi we set out again with a simple commitment: to be instruments of peace, closeness, and hope».
The national pilgrimage to Assisi
A post on the Facebook page of the Confederazione Nazionale delle Misericordie d’Italia summarizes the “National Misericordie and Fratres Pilgrimage” held in Assisi on Saturday, September 26. An event within the Franciscan Jubilee Year attended by 2,500 sisters and brothers of the Misericordie and the Fratres Nazionale – Donatori di Sangue groups.
A day lived as a moment of gathering, prayer, and sharing, reflecting a heritage centered on serving others. Arriving in Assisi, the city of Saint Francis, gave the pilgrimage a distinct meaning: rediscovering the roots of a life commitment grounded in closeness, fraternity, and active attention to the most vulnerable individuals.
Mercy as daily practice and closeness
For the Misericordie, mercy is not merely an abstract value, but a daily practice translated into presence, active listening, and service. It is the face of those accompanying the sick, assisting those in difficulty, supporting families, and offering time and skills without seeking anything in return. It is a mercy that turns into closeness and contributes to building more attentive, supportive communities.
The pilgrimage also served as an opportunity to reinforce bonds and share a common mission. A journey that looks from Assisi toward numerous local realities where volunteers draw close each day to those at risk of marginalization.
The Works of Mercy on the shared journey
Commenting on the experience, Selene Pera, secretary of spazio + spadoni, noted: «a special occasion, in a special place, made it possible to reunite with special people».
For spazio + spadoni, the Assisi pilgrimage echoes the essence of the Works of Mercy: not distant or abstract deeds, but concrete acts capable of transforming each encounter into care, dignity, and hope. A journey that endures, because mercy takes shape whenever someone chooses to be present.
As affirmed by Luigi Spadoni, founder of spazio + spadoni: «Assisi: more than 2,000 Brothers, Sisters, and Fratres Donors on the journey, immersed in the Franciscan spirituality that brought the Works of Mercy to life».
Photo by Selene Pera and a member of the confraternity
