The Way of St. Francis
A 7-day contemplative Florence retreat exploring stillness, presence,
and Franciscan simplicity, with a walking practice that invites participants
into contemplative practices and a deepened sense of inner trust.
7 Days/6 Nights
Curated Historic Lodging
Daily Contemplative Practice
Deep Stillness & Inner Trust
You’re not broken. You’re just tired.
You’re not broken. You’re just tired: tired of the noise, the complexity, and the constant doing. You’ve read the books and tried the frameworks, hoping something would fill the void. But what you’re looking for isn’t in another teaching or another guru.
It’s already in you. St. Francis understood this 800 years ago. He practiced radical simplicity (not as punishment, but as freedom). Presence, not productivity, is what brings us home.
This retreat isn’t about religion; it’s about remembering your own wholeness. Through contemplative walking, journaling, and reflection, you will notice the sacred in the world around you—and within yourself.
We also draw inspiration from St. Teresa de Ávila’s Interior Castle, using her metaphor of inner rooms to gently notice where presence, distraction, peace, and resistance arise. This is a map for inner awareness, not a prescription: you take what resonates, leave what doesn’t.
Through these practices, you are invited to slow down, rest your nervous system, and reconnect with the simple truth: you are already part of the sacred web.
Meet Your Guide
I’m Heather. I’ve spent years rebuilding my own home.
I’m Heather. I’ve spent years rebuilding my own home and my own sense of belonging. As a queer Christian, I’ve learned to navigate what it means to encounter the sacred when traditional institutions don’t always leave a seat at the table.
I bring humor, a sharp eye for nuance, and deep respect for each participant’s journey. I won’t preach; I’ll hold the door open while you explore your own inner landscape.
This retreat is a space to practice dual awareness: noticing both the sacred world around you and the inner chambers of your own presence, guided gently by contemplative frameworks inspired by St. Francis and St. Teresa.
Simplicity, Presence, and The Way of St Francis
We move beyond the “tourist” experience and into a contemplative rhythm that allows the nervous system to finally settle.
For those who are still listening.
This is a sanctuary for those who want depth without dogma, and presence without performance.
A Note on Faith: My perspective is rooted in queer Christian experience, but this retreat is open and inclusive. You don’t need to share my beliefs. You only need a willingness to encounter what feels sacred in your own life.
If you’re tired of performing “enough”
If your spiritual life has started to feel like another place to get it right, this retreat offers space to rest from that effort.
If you’re spiritually alive but institutionally done:
For those who haven’t lost their sense of the sacred, but no longer find it where they were told to look.
If you’re used to holding it together
If you’re often the one others lean on, this is a place where you don’t have to lead, explain, or carry anyone else.
The Logistics
What’s Included: 7 days/6 nights shared accommodation in a contemplative villa or retreat center, all meals, site visits in Florence, and daily guided facilitation.
What’s Not: Flights, personal expenses, and travel insurance.
The Process: We start with an application and a brief call to ensure this container is the right fit for your current season of life.