Emily Sit, the Director of Mission and Evangelisation for the Diocese of Palmerston North, recently went on pilgrimage to Assisi, Italy. Below she shares some reflections of the trip.
This past month, I had the profound gift of travelling to Assisi — a place where heaven and earth seem to meet in stone chapels, ancient frescoes, and silent moments of prayer. What I thought would be a spiritual pilgrimage quickly became something deeper: a journey of personal renewal. I didn’t just visit places. I encountered people — saints — whose lives continue to echo the Gospel with boldness, simplicity, and joy.
Francis and the Fire of Renewal 
Assisi is a town that breathes holiness. At the Basilica of Saint Francis, surrounded by sweeping frescoes painted by Giotto, Cimabue, and others, I was drawn into the unfolding of a story that still speaks today. This was not a man who followed Jesus halfway — he gave up everything.
Kneeling in prayer at his tomb — surrounded by the resting places of his closest companions, the first brothers who walked with him in poverty and joy — I was struck by the depth of his surrender. His words burned into my heart:
“Hold back nothing of yourselves for yourselves, that He who gives Himself totally to you may receive you totally.”
It became a question I carried with me the rest of the journey: What am I holding back? And what might happen if I gave it all?
Porziuncola: The Humble Heart of the Church
One of the most powerful moments was kneeling in Adoration inside the Porziuncola, the tiny chapel where the Franciscan movement was born. It sits like a mustard seed in the centre of the grand Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli (St Mary of the Angels) — built to shelter this sacred place so dear to Francis.
This pilgrimage site also includes the spot where St Francis died and the rose garden, where thornless roses still bloom — a place tied to legends of Francis’ penance and his profound love for creation.
Surrounded by pilgrims from every nation, I was struck by the unity of the Body of Christ. In the Eucharist, we are truly one. This little chapel, and all it holds, reminded me that God often begins His greatest works in the smallest places.
A Young Saint for Our Time: Blessed Carlo Acutis 
In a side chapel of the Church of St Mary Major (Chiesa di Santa Maria Maggiore) in Assisi lies the body of Blessed Carlo Acutis, a teenager who loved Jesus in the Eucharist with startling clarity and devotion. Seeing his youthful face surrounded by candles lit in prayer — I couldn’t help but be moved. His famous words echoed in my heart: “The Eucharist is my highway to heaven.” Carlo will be canonised a saint on Sunday, 7 September 2025 — becoming the first millennial to be formally declared a saint by the Church. His life is a bold reminder that holiness isn’t only for the few. It’s possible now, and it’s possible for everyone.
Clare’s Silent Witness and the Cross that Spoke
At the Basilica of Saint Clare, I encountered not only the tomb of Clare, but also the original San Damiano Cross — the very cross that spoke to Francis with the words, “Francis, go and rebuild my Church.” To stand before it was to be caught up in the still-living call of Christ: to repair, renew, and restore what is broken — starting with our own hearts. Clare’s own quiet strength, and her trust in the presence of Christ in the Eucharist, offered a steady invitation to surrender everything in love.
Praying for Our Church in New Zealand 
This pilgrimage was not just a visit to beautiful places. It was a confrontation with the call to live differently. To be set apart. To make room for God. To proclaim the Gospel with courage and clarity, in a Church that is wounded, but still radiant with grace.
During my time in Assisi — especially in moments of Adoration, at the tombs of the saints, and before the San Damiano Cross — I prayed intently for the Hope and Renewal Summit, for our Diocese of Palmerston North, and for the Church in Aotearoa New Zealand. I asked the Lord to stir up new faith in our people, raise up leaders after His heart, and pour out the grace of renewal in every parish.
As we prepare for the Summit this October, I carry with me the conviction that the same Spirit who raised up Francis and Clare, who inspired Carlo, and who breathes through the life of the Church in every age — is not done with us yet. God is doing something new, and I believe the Summit will be a spark for many.
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The Hope and Renewal Summit is a national gathering for clergy, lay leaders, educators, and parishioners who desire to see our Church renewed in mission, unity, and faith.
Come be inspired. Come be equipped. Come be part of what God is doing in our country. For more information, visit www.hoperenewalsummit.com