The Church of St. Clare and the Eremo delle Carceri - Assisi

Tuesday we toured the Church of St. Clare as well as the Eremo delle Carceri (a small hermitage at the top of Mount Subasio.

The Church of St. Clare is simply, but beautiful.  You can see a photograph of it above.  We began there with Mass and a tour of the Church including a visit to the tomb where St. Clare is buried.  She was one of first followers of St. Francis and the founder of the Order of Poor Ladies (now, the Sisters of Poor Clare).  In fact, today (September 24) they celebrate the finding of St. Clare's body. She was buried below the main altar of this church, built by Filippo Campell in 1260 and moved from her former burial place in St. Gregorio.  When her body was exhumed, in 1850, they found it perfectly preserved.

Later that day I performed a miracle - I climbed Mt. Subasio.  Let me tell you, it was no piece of cake!!!  Very steep climbing across a rocky grade.  But arriving at the top, a place where St. Francis founded a small hermitage, was truly amazing. This is where he sought refuge for 6 months out of the year.  He and other monks lived in caves carved from the mountain side.  Their dwellings were simple but they enjoyed the beauty of God's spectacular creation while on the mountaintop.  We then climbed even further to the very top of the mountain and enjoyed a magnificent view of the city of Assisi below.