Youth Pilgrimage to Italy

Greetings from The Cathedral of All Souls in Biltmore Village, Asheville, NC!

In the summer of 2023, we are dreaming of taking our high schoolers to Italy for a pilgrimage to explore our Christian roots. We will connect with our Episcopal siblings at St. Paul's Within the Walls Episcopal Church in Rome, and walk in the footsteps of one of our most beloved saints, St. Francis of Assisi. In the Footsteps of St. Francis, we have a 10-day excursion planned through the cities of Rome, Florence, and the medieval hilltop town of Assisi.

We have a Fundraising Events Calendar planned with our youth working hard to raise money for their trip. Our goal is to raise 100% of the funds required for travel, room and board, and the cost of food, which adds up to $32,000. We will keep GoFundMe updated with our fundraising progress here at the local level, and will adjust our goal amount accordingly. We invite you to support this life-changing experience. Read more about the proposed itinerary & calendar of fundraising events on our cathedral website.

Our youth have signed a Pilgrimage Pledge agreeing to fully participate in ECY, fundraising events, and serve the Cathedral community as an acolyte, a reader, or a singer in the youth choir. In addition to this pledge, youth have also written an essay on why they'd like to go on this pilgrimage; what they hope to learn and how this trip might impact their lives.

During the pilgrimage in June of 2023, we will update our GoFundMe donors with photos throughout the trip, sharing memorable experiences along the way! We thank you for your sponsorship.

Quotes from our youth:

“Participating in the EYC pilgrimage to Italy next summer with my All Souls youth

peer community will be an amazing opportunity to experience the roots of the Episcopal church. I look forward to having an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Italy, the church, and Christianity.”

— Cassidy B.

“This trip will impact my life because I have never traveled outside of the US.”

— Gabby S.

“I also understand that I still have much to learn and this trip will help me turn my faith into something that can help me for the rest of my life. I want to go on this trip to reinforce my faith and continue to heal through our community and experiences in Italy.”

— EllaGrey M.