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This past May, 28 ����ֱ��ns—students, alumni, faculty and staff—took part in a traditional Pellegrinaggio Augustiniano but from a perspective not often explored. In addition to examining significant sites in St. Augustine’s life, the participants of ����ֱ��’s first-ever Women’s Pellegrinaggio Augustiniano also considered the lives and legacies of the women who have influenced Augustinian thought and spirituality.

“The idea was to take the concept of ����ֱ��’s Augustinian mission and view it through a lens of gender equity,” says Terri Boyer, EdD, ’95 CLAS, the founding director of the Anne Welsh McNulty Institute for Women’s Leadership. “We’re not looking at just St. Augustine of Hippo but at how women have shaped this Augustinian tradition and where they lead in it.”

A mostly female group of varied ages and backgrounds, the pilgrims traveled from Milan to Ostia over eight days for a journey filled with self-discovery, reflection and strong community-building. Moreover, there was a chance to expand their understanding of Augustinian spirituality by connecting with women who have been underrepresented in the tradition. “Often we think of history belonging to men because they wrote it,” says Chesley Turner ’05 CLAS, ’19 MS, director of ����ֱ��’s Center for Church Management. “But women have been catalysts, leaders and motivators from the beginning.”

Historical site visits and discussions focused specifically on St. Monica, St. Clare of Montefalco and St. Rita of Cascia. Colleen Mitchell, associate director of Outreach for the Augustinian Institute at ����ֱ�� University and assistant teaching professor in the Augustine and Culture Seminar Program, was particularly inspired by the example of St. Monica, St. Augustine’s mother. “To walk the ancient paths of Monica in Ostia was incredibly special because she’s a rich and vivid saint in her own right, and being there gave us a chance to talk about that.”

Equally impactful were opportunities to interact with Augustinian contemplative sisters while participating in vespers at Lecceto and Montefalco. “Even if you couldn’t understand the prayers they were singing, their amazing enthusiasm for living in an Augustinian community was moving for everyone,” says Dr. Boyer, who created daily and specific reflective learning components to promote leadership development and spiritual growth during the pilgrimage.

“The power of the Pellegrinaggio is that it helps you embrace your values and recognize that it does matter how you live your life,” observes Turner. “It’s a way to see ourselves as part of the legacy of Augustine.”