THE BLOSSOMING HEART OF ASSISI 🌾

An Easter Retreat in Sacred Silence, Devotion and Renewal

Assisi breathes devotion.

From dawn until night, monks and nuns chant, walk and pray in a rhythm that is centuries old. During this retreat, we attune ourselves to this sacred rhythm—and to the tender awakening of spring.

The hills turn green, wildflowers emerge, birdsong fills the morning air, and the soft spring light touches the ancient stones of Assisi.

Through silence, meditation, heart-based practices, singing and mindful movement, we open ourselves to the blossoming that is also taking place within us.

Saint Francis and Saint Clare devoted their lives to serving from the heart—to brotherhood and sisterhood, silence, prayer, music, nature, animals, humility, simplicity, faith, purity and care for those most in need.

We have walked in their footsteps and have been drawn back to the spirit of Assisi again and again.

This invitation comes from the deepest corner of our hearts.

The purpose of this spring retreat is to experience The Blossoming Heart—the peace, love and aliveness that become available when we slow down and become fully present.

We rediscover what truly nourishes us: the warmth of the sun, the food we receive, the air we breathe, the earth beneath our feet, the awakening of nature and the quiet song of our own hearts.

🌿 Our Retreat Home

Our retreat home is located in Santa Croce, on the quiet side of Assisi—peaceful and secluded from tourism, yet within walking distance of the Basilica of Saint Francis.

Visit the website of Casale Santa Margherita

🌙 Tentative Daily Rhythm

Our mornings begin with a silent sunrise walk from our retreat home to the tomb of Saint Francis inside the Basilica.

In spring, Assisi awakens around us. The morning air is fresh, the first light touches the valley, and birds sing as we walk.

The silence inside the Basilica is deep and tangible—almost like velvet.

People sit.
Walk slowly.
Pray.
Cry.

The air is filled with prayer, music and the quiet presence of something far greater than ourselves.

It feels as though Francis never left.

Afterwards, we walk back together, slowly and in silence.

At our retreat home, the daily rhythm may include:

It is a simple and gentle rhythm of presence, devotion and inner blossoming.

We also hope to be joined by a musician who can support us in singing songs connected with Francis and Clare.

Care and presence will be part of every meal we share.

🌸 Retreat Details

Address:
Strada Comunale Santa Croce 7
06081 Assisi, Umbria
Italy

🍀 Is This Retreat for You?

A retreat is an invitation to turn inward—to feel what is present without immediately projecting it outward or explaining it away.

This is a silent meditation retreat.

It is a time to experience the preciousness of being together in silence—even as we walk to churches, share meals and move through the day.

We are where we are.
We do what we do.
We are with what is.

Instead of going for a walk in the mind, we open ourselves to the direct experience of life:

The soles of our feet touching the earth.
The fragrance of spring flowers and pine trees.
The warmth of the sun.
The sounds of birds and church bells.
Even the discomfort of not speaking when we normally would.

Slowly, we may begin to fall in love with silence.

Some people imagine silence as lonely or unloving because we are not expressing ourselves through words. Yet so much can be communicated—and deeply held—in silence.

Try something new.

Discover greater freedom and less reactivity within the spaciousness of silence.

Become an instrument of peace through the way you walk—one conscious step at a time.

🔥 Meet us around the sacred fire in the hearts of Francis and Clare.

With love,

Stephan & Kristina

About Kristina and Stephan

Kristina and Stephan are longtime spiritual companions and retreat leaders whose work is rooted in meditation and psychotherapy.

Kristina is a psychotherapist, Vipassana practitioner and healer. Stephan is a former Tibetan Buddhist monk with more than 40 years of meditation experience.

Together, they create warm and grounded spaces for silence, healing and awakening—inviting you to come home to yourself.

Registration and Payment

You register through payment. Payment is made securely with credit or debit card by buying a ticket below. If you prefer another payment method go here and write to me once you have paid (stephanpendegmail.com).