Spiritual Walks in Nature in Sicily: Walking and Praying
Walking in the countryside can become prayer. During the Christian spiritual days near Taormina we walk without hurry in nature, to contemplate creation, listen to silence and discover an ancient and spiritual Sicily: its churches, villages, traditions and the people who lived there. It is not a sporting trek nor a guided tour: it is a way of praying with our feet, together.
Why walking is good for the soul
In the Gospel Jesus "withdrew to the wilderness and prayed" (Lk 5:16), and to his tired disciples he said: "Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while" (Mk 6:31). Walking frees us from haste, sets the body to the pace of the breath and the breath to the pace of prayer. This is why pilgrimage on foot is one of the oldest spiritual experiences in Christianity.
Walking in silence, looking at a tree, a stone, the light on the sea, helps us step out of the noise of our thoughts. Many discover that after a few hours the questions weighing on them grow lighter and the answers simpler.
Contemplating creation
"The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork" (Ps 19:1). For Christian tradition, East and West, nature is a book written by God: it is not to be worshipped but read with gratitude. In the encyclical Laudato si' (2015) Pope Francis invites us to rediscover a contemplative gaze on creation and a sober way of life, free from the superfluous. It is the same spirit in which we walk: attentive, grateful, light.
What our walks are like
- Unhurried. The pace is set by the slowest. We stop often, look, breathe.
- With moments of silence. Part of the way is walked in silence, to leave room for personal prayer.
- With a pause for prayer. A psalm, a short reading, a song in the open air, under a tree or before the view.
- Discovering history. Along the way we talk about the places, the saints and the traditions of the area.
- Suited to those taking part. Simple routes, agreed together according to time, season and people.
The nature around Taormina
Taormina lies on the Ionian coast of Sicily, between the Peloritani mountains and Mount Etna, overlooking the sea. Within a few kilometres you pass from cultivated hills to mountain villages, from stream valleys to views of the volcano. It is a landscape that has always invited contemplation, and one the Italo-Greek monks knew well: in the Messina area churches of ancient Basilian monasteries still stand, such as Santi Pietro e Paolo d'Agrò at Casalvecchio Siculo. The destinations of the walks are chosen together each time; some are described on the page Spiritual Taormina: saints and churches.
An ancient and spiritual Sicily
To walk in Sicily is to walk within a very long Christian history. Saints venerated by Catholics and Orthodox were born here or passed through: Saint Hilarion the Great, Saint Methodios, Saint Joseph the Hymnographer, Saint Elias the Younger, Saint Agatha, Saint Lucy and Saint Pancras. We talk about them along the way, and their story is told on the page Byzantine Sicily and the Italo-Greek saints.
After the walk
The walk is only one part of the day. Before and after there is shared prayer, the meal prepared and eaten together, time to play, tell our stories and listen to music, and silence for those who need it. Everything is described on the page Christian spiritual days in Sicily.
How to take part
The days take place near Taormina, in Sicily. The places to visit are agreed together each time. There is no overnight stay: we share one day, and in the evening everyone returns to their own home. Hospitality has no price and does not depend on any offering: whoever comes is welcomed for who they are. Everyone contributes as they can: anyone who cannot leave anything is welcomed like everyone else, and takes part by giving a little of their time.
The days are reserved for Catholic and Orthodox Christians, because they are lived in shared prayer. To ask for a date, simply write to me on WhatsApp. The spirit of the days is told in the manifesto of hospitality.
If you would like to know what makes this mission possible, read The circle of love.
Explore the other pages
The days: Christian spiritual days in Sicily · The Philoxenia of Abraham · Spiritual search and finding yourself · Day retreat, silent retreat and pilgrimage: the international names
Spiritual travel in Sicily: Spiritual tourism in Sicily: the guide · Pilgrimage walking routes in Sicily · Holy Week and Easter in Sicily · Religious festivals in Sicily: the calendar · Orthodox pilgrimage in Sicily · Spiritual Nordic walking and ski walking in Sicily
Nature and places: Spiritual Taormina · Christian meditation in nature in Sicily · Places to meditate near Taormina and Messina · Places to meditate in Sicily
Prayer: Christian asceticism: the spiritual struggle · The prayer of the heart or Jesus Prayer · Hesychasm: the prayer of stillness · The Philokalia: the Neptic Fathers
The saints of Sicily: Byzantine Sicily and the Italo-Greek saints · Saint Hilarion the Great in Sicily · Saint Methodios of Syracuse · Saint Joseph the Hymnographer · Saint Elias the Younger of Enna · Saint Agatha of Catania · Saint Lucy of Syracuse · Saint Pancras of Taormina
Sources
- Mark 6:31 and Luke 5:16 (Bible Gateway, RSV)
- Psalms 19 and 46 (Bible Gateway, RSV)
- Pope Francis, Laudato si' (2015), vatican.va
- Wikipedia – Santi Pietro e Paolo d'Agrò
What this story teaches
Those who walk slowly see more: in the spiritual life too, haste is the enemy of wonder.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a spiritual walk?
It is a slow walk lived as prayer: silence, contemplation of nature, a pause with a psalm or a song, and the stories of the places and saints alternate.
Where do the walks take place?
Around Taormina, in eastern Sicily. Destinations are agreed together according to the season, the weather and those taking part.
Do I need to be fit to take part?
No. We walk without hurry and the pace is set by the slowest. The routes are simple and adapted to the people.
How is it different from a hike or a trek?
The aim is not the destination or performance but prayer and contemplation. We walk less and stop more.
What does the Bible say about withdrawing into nature?
Jesus withdrew to lonely places to pray (Luke 5:16) and invited his disciples to rest apart (Mark 6:31). The Psalms praise God through creation, as in Psalm 19.
Is contemplating nature a Christian practice?
Yes: for Christian tradition creation is the work of God and speaks of Him. We do not worship nature, we praise the Creator. Pope Francis writes about it in Laudato si'.
Do we also visit churches and historic places?
When possible, yes: for example churches linked to the saints of Sicily or ancient Basilian churches in the Messina area. Destinations are chosen together.
How long is a walk?
It depends on the day and the people: usually it is one part of the day, alternating with prayer, the meal and time together.
What should I bring?
Comfortable shoes, water, a hat in the warm months and a light jacket in cooler seasons. We agree the rest when you write to me.
Do we also walk in silence?
Yes, part of the way is walked in silence to leave room for personal prayer. Nobody is obliged: everyone takes part as much as they feel able.
Are spiritual walks suitable for families?
Yes, with simple routes and frequent stops. Just mention it when you write, so we can choose a suitable destination.
How do I take part?
By writing to me on WhatsApp at +39 370 379 45 76. The days are reserved for Catholic and Orthodox Christians, with no overnight stay and entirely free.
Who is responsible during the walks?
Guests are welcomed as friends, not as customers: everyone takes part freely and on their own responsibility, judges for themselves what they can do and mentions any health problems. Minors take part under the responsibility of those accompanying them. Ilarion is not liable for accidents, damage or loss, within the limits permitted by law.