Lourdes University, sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis, celebrates its Catholic Franciscan
heritage by participating in an annual student pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome, Italy.On Dec. 27, Katie
Goliver, of Perrysburg, and Steve Sczesny, of Portage, will join a group of 32 students representing 11
states across the U.S. as part of the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities (AFCU) Student
Pilgrimage Program. During the 11- day trip, the pilgrims will visit several historical landmarks and take
time for reflection as they follow in the footsteps of St. Francis. Stops on the pilgrimage include:
Basilica of St. Peter, the Colosseum, Sistine Chapel and The Vatican, all in Rome; plus Basilica of St.
Francis, Basilica of St. Clare, San Damiano and San Rufino, all in Assisi.Goliver is a junior majoring in
art history with a minor in psychology. A Perrysburg resident, she graduated from Notre Dame Academy in
Toledo prior to attending Lourdes. On campus, she has contributed to the Pre-Art Therapy Association and
Orbis Ars (student art organization) and is one of the founders of Lourdes’ student newspaper The Vitruvian.
She has also served as a tutor and is a member of the choir."There are so many opportunities in a
journey like this to better understand my own faith, but I am most excited to bring the pilgrimage back home
with me. Travelling to Assisi is not something that can happen in isolation; it is the gift of the Sisters
of St. Francis to send us there, and my hope is to return with spiritual gifts for the entire Lourdes
community," she stated.Sczesny is a senior majoring in nursing. A Portage resident, he graduated from
St. John’s Jesuit High School in Toledo prior to attending Lourdes. On campus, he is a science tutor that
works with many students at Lourdes."Through this pilgrimage, I hope to get a better understanding of
the life and message of St. Francis," he shared.