By Katie Vasquez
WILLIAMSBURG, N.Y. โ Visitors to Most Holy Trinity-St. Mary Parish in Williamsburg can now embark on a self-guided spiritual journey inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, as the parish launches CANTICO, an interactive prayer circuit celebrating the Church’s Year of St. Francis.
The experience opened July 15, the feast of St. Bonaventure, and invites pilgrims to reflect on The Canticle of the Creatures, the hymn St. Francis composed more than 800 years ago praising God through creation.
The launch comes during the Year of St. Francis, proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the Transitus, or passing, of St. Francis. By decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary, Franciscan churches worldwide have been designated official pilgrimage sites during the jubilee year, allowing pilgrims who fulfill the Church’s usual conditions to receive a plenary indulgence.
“Our goal was to take this great poem he wrote 801 years ago, praising God for creation, and make it accessible to people,” said Friar Richard Riccioli, pastor of Most Holy Trinity-St. Mary Parish. “Pope Leo has designated all Franciscan churches as pilgrimage sites.”
As visitors move through the church, they encounter 12 pieces of sacred art inspired by each stanza of The Canticle of the Creatures. The illustrations, created by artist Piero Casentini of the Shrine of San Damiano in Assisi, accompany reflections on St. Francis’ praise of “Brother Sun,” “Sister Moon” and the rest of creation.
Parishioner Antonio Cuccu said the experience offers an opportunity for quiet prayer and reflection.
“The silence and the contemplation of a true relationship with God,” Cuccu said. “As I moved through the church in prayer, I thought that would help me find reflection and find a way that I could personally do it in my own life.”
The exhibit combines traditional displays with digital technology. Visitors can scan a QR code to access audio reflections by Franciscan Sister Caryn Crook, available in English, Spanish and Polish.
“We have the canticle on the poster boards with the images, but we also have an audio reflection by Sister Caryn Crook,” Riccioli said. “You can just scan the QR code, get it on your phone and listen to it as you go โ like a museum.”
The reflections invite participants to contemplate the relationship between humanity, creation and God through the lens of Franciscan spirituality.
Deacon Eric Peterson said the pilgrimage also carries a timely message about caring for the world.
“It’s a good reminder for how we need to be concerned for the planet and for the rest of creation, for the rest of humanity,” Peterson said.
The prayer experience concludes with an invitation for participants to write a personal prayer intention and place it before a statue of St. Francis.
Inspired by the theology of St. Bonaventure, who taught that beauty and creation lead people to God, CANTICO is designed for parishioners, pilgrims, school groups and visitors, as well as those seeking to reconnect with their faith.
The prayer circuit is available during the church’s regular hours: Monday, Tuesday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Sundays before and after all Masses.