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SUMMARY:In the Company of Francis of Assisi: A Men’s Retreat at Well for the Journey (In-Person Program)
DESCRIPTION:It happens to be one of the romantic ironies of the Middle Ages that one of the most celebrated saints of his day was one who most wanted to be forgotten. Francis of Assisi stripped himself of his fine clothes\, put on a coarse and patched robe\, eschewed the wealth of his family\, and abandoned social status to live with and like the beggars. Rather than earning the ridicule and ostracization accorded to the beggars of his day\, however\, his followers became so numerous that the church asked him to form an order\, one that has produced many other saints and that perdures to this day. \nFrancis was not a theologian or scholar of any kind. It is also well known that he was not a priest. And\, although some biographers maintain that he may have been ordained a deacon\, the earliest ones do not mention it and there is no record of his ordination. He authored no theological or spiritual treatises. Yet the passion and depth of his love for God\, and the experience he had of God’s presence in people and all of God’s creation\, is legendary even in the 21st century. It is available to us today. \nThe focus of this day of retreat will not be to learn facts about St. Francis\, or about God for that matter. It will be to meditate with Francis\, to invite him to join us in our meditation\, and to experience God’s presence and love the way he did. The day will include brief presentations\, time for silence and reflection\, and opportunities to share with other men on the journey. If that intrigues you\, come join us for a day with St. Francis of Assisi. \nPlease bring a bag lunch. Snacks and beverages will be available. \nDATE: Saturday\, June 27\, 2026 \nTIME: 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM \nCOST: Please choose the option that works best for you! (see registration link for options.) \nLOCATION: Well for the Journey – 120 W. Seminary Ave\, Lutherville-Timonium\, MD 21093 \nREGISTRATION is required; please register here. \nIMPORTANT: You will receive an email from programming@wellforthejourney.org at least 24 hours in advance of the start of your program. If you are unable to find the email\, please check your SPAM or JUNK email folders. This email will include details to help you prepare for your program including any pertinent handouts\, location information\, and the ZOOM link for online programs. Please be sure you have received and read this email a minimum of 24 hours in advance of the start of the program. Thank you! \nFACILITATOR: Frank Laws \nFACILITATOR BIO: \nFrank Laws is a husband (Duffy’s husband of 54 years)\, father of four and grandfather of eight. He retired from the full-time practice of law in 2025\, which was preceded by three years of service in the U.S. Army (1971 – 1974) as a Chinese linguist and five years as a patrol officer in the Baltimore Police Department. In 1989 he confirmed a call to permanent diaconate in the Roman Catholic Church through the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius and\, preceding his current status as being on voluntary leave of absence\, served in parish ministry and on the deacon formation program\, including participation in St. Mary’s Seminary’s continuing formation program\, and the deacon life and ministry board. \nThrough contemplative practice for forty years\, Frank has a deep\, abiding sense of God’s presence in and through every person and everything God has created\, as well as God’s passionate desire to share that relationship with everyone. In addition to participating in several programs at the Well\, he has led retreats on Franciscan spirituality and God’s extravagant love\, as well as participating in the formation and leadership of small groups to enable others to develop and experience that relationship with the divine. He is an avid outdoorsman\, alpine mountaineer (in his younger years)\, ice climber\, and hiker. He currently serves as a volunteer with groups providing comfort and assistance to those whose lives have been disrupted by deportation.
URL:https://wellforthejourney.org/event/in-the-company-of-francis-of-assisi-mens-retreat/
LOCATION:Well for the Journey (Note: Lutherville address)\, 120 W. Seminary Avenue\, Lutherville-Timonium\, MD\, 21093\, United States
CATEGORIES:In-Person Programs
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://wellforthejourney.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/In-the-Company-of-Francis-of-Assisi-900x506-1.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Well%20for%20the%20Journey":MAILTO:lorie@wellforthejourney.org
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