Saint Francis

One of the most important Ways of Central Italy is Saint Francis’ Way that connects some places witnessing the life and preaching of the Saint of Assisi. The route, winding from Assisi to Rome, touches above all the Rieti Holy Valley in fact, before expanding towards the neighboring regions, at the time of its inauguration (in 2003) the Way was limited to the Rieti Plain, known as the the Holy Valley, where in 1223 the Saint created the first Crib of Christianity, wrote the definitive Rule of the Order and, probably, that very wonderful hymn known as the Canticle of Creatures. Through 10 stages, St. Francis’ Way ideally revives the human and spiritual journey of the Saint. The four sanctuaries that are included in the original itinerary are all situated in the Rieti territory: Fonte Colombo, Greccio, Poggio Bustone and La Foresta. Before starting the way, pilgrims must withdraw a special “passport” to be stamped at each stage of the whole journey. At the end of the trip, the pilgrim's certificate can be requested to the St. Francis’ Way Office, which certifies the achievement of the final goal, that is, 80 km. (the route limited to the four sanctuaries) covered in five days. As to the integral route of the Way, whose total length is about 500 kms., it crosses the entire Province of Rieti, touching Labro, Rivodutri (and in particular the beech wood of St. Francis), Poggio Bustone, Cantalice, Santuario La Foresta, Rieti, Fonte Colombo, Contigliano, Greccio, Belmonte in Sabina, Torricella in Sabina, Poggio San Lorenzo, Monteleone Sabino, Poggio Moiano, Scandriglia, Ponticelli, Casaprota, Frasso, Castelnuovo di Farfa, Toffia and Fara in Sabina, before heading towards Rome. Every day from April to October, in Assisi (which can be either the destination or the starting point), a pilgrim's Mass is held for all those who have completed the Way.