"Always preach the gospel and when necessary use words."
These are the words of Francis of Assisi and today we spent the day in Assisi. It was perfect after seeing Pope Francis just a few days earlier. St Francis legend and message is one so needed in our Church today.
The weather was again rainy and chilly but our spirits were high. Assisi is about 2.5 hours from Roma and we traveled through lush rolling hills through the countryside to Assisi,
Assisi is built high on a hill with brick buildings stacked on each other with s
winding steep narrow streets. We visited the first church, St Mary of the Angels as we approached Assisi, which holds the small church within which St Francis rebuilt after he was given the imperative from God to rebuild my church. It was here where we also viewed the statue of St Francis which so many have been modeled after. On the ledge aside it, perches two doves that are always there and nest in the basket which St Francis holds. This perching has been happening for hundreds of years.
We then bussed further up the hill to the actual town of Assisi and visited the Basilica of St Francis and then the Church of St Clare. St Clare also has an amazing story and was kind of a partner with Francis in serving the poor and was instrumental in forwarding women's service to the Church in starting the order of the Poor Clare's.
We ended our day in Assisi with a journey into the hermitage caves of St Francis. Apparently St Francis would often times go into these caves in solitude to pray. There we again had a wonderful Mass where Father Pat connected our day to the message of Pope Francis on Sunday. His message was moving in that we should welcome everyone into the church, not just to let them know they're welcomed, but because we need to know that they are needed. The oppressed are the morale heart of the church because they are the ones who have been hurt and wounded. They are the heart of compassion because of their woundedness. Challenging thoughts to ponder...... And perhaps act on.
Although dampened by the rain, our spirits were again refreshed by this wonderful opportunity to experience such a spirit filled place.
We then boarded the bus and journeyed back to Roma, renewed and challenged.
Pictures
Original Church Francis rebuilt housed in saint Mary of the Angels
Statue of St Francis
Doves perched by st Francis statue
Assisi architecture
Wet pilgrims winding their way through the streets.
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