A Saint for All Seasons: Francis 800
Schedule
Fri, 31 Jul, 2026 at 02:30 pm to Sun, 02 Aug, 2026 at 02:30 pm
UTC+01:00Location
St Mary's Convent | Wantage, EN
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A Saint for All Seasons: Francis 800A Silent Conducted Retreat
With Fr John-Francis Friendship, TSSF
“Why you? Why does the world run after you? … You’re not a handsome man. You’re not a learned man. You’re not a nobleman. So why is everybody after you?” That was the question asked of Francis of Assisi as his fame spread and community grew. And his response? He simply quoted from Saint Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians that it was because God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise and the weak things of the world to shame the strong (1:27).
October 4th, 2026 marks the 800th Anniversary of his Transitus – his death – and interest in il Poverello, this ‘little poor man’, is still strong. At a time when those in positions of power attempt to manipulate us, and the church can appear to have lost its way, many are searching for deeper meaning. Into this Francis’s desire to be conformed to Christ, his love of prayer, care for the vulnerable and marginalized, and understanding that we’re connected as one family offer valuable lessons. These themes will appear in the new book on Francis to be published in time for the Transitus, themes this silent Retreat will utilise as we look to him who bore the marks of Christ’s crucifixion, and saw him in the Bless’d Sacrament and all creation.
‘Dear brothers and sisters, may the example and spiritual legacy of this Saint, strong in faith, steadfast in hope and ardent in active charity towards his neighbour, inspire in everyone the importance of trusting in the Lord, of living a life faithful to the Gospel, and of accepting and illuminating every circumstance and action of life with faith and prayer.’
(Pope Leo XIV, Letter to all Franciscans, January 2026)
Key Information
Retreatants are asked to arrive bewteen 2.30-3.30pm on Friday 31st July. The Retreat ends with lunch on Sunday 2nd August, with departures at 2.30pm.
£255 per person, including ensuite room and all meals.
About Fr John-Francis Friendship
Fr John-Francis TSSF is a priest and, for 25 years, was a First Order (Anglican) Franciscan. After being released from his Vows when he was Rector of an east London parish he taught on the London Course in Spiritual Direction and devised and delivered a six-month course, Exploring Christian Spirituality. He offers Spiritual Director and pastoral Supervision, leads Retreats and is an author: Enfolded in Christ: the Inner Life of a Priest (2018), The Mystery of Faith: Exploring Christian belief (2019), What Do You Seek? Wisdom from the Religious Life (2021), Divine Office and Daily Prayer (2023) and Heart of my own Heart (Autumn 2024).
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Where is it happening?
St Mary's Convent, Wantage, United KingdomEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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