Assisi - Home of St. Francis

 We had a wonderful visit to Assisi, home to St. Francis of Assisi.  Below find a photograph of the small prison in the home where St. Francis grew up.  When he announced his intention to renounce his father’s business and serve the poor, his parents thought he was crazy.  They imprisoned him at home until they became convinced that this was Francis’ true calling.

You can see the beautiful countryside throughout Assisi.  This is a photograph of the Sisters of Poor Clare monastery.  These sisters lead a monastic life and do not go out into public. It is near this monastery that the church where Blessed Carlo Acutis is entombed.  Unfortunately they did not allow photos but Carlo died at the age of 15 and his body is uncorrupted.  He will be canonized sometime in April 2025.

The beautiful scene below is the lower area of Assisi.  There are only 800 inhabitants in the upper region of Assisi and 20,000 who live below.  This was a big deal in the time of Francis.  The wealthy lived in the upper Assisi area.  Sewage and trash was tossed down the side of the village into the minores “lower” part of Assisi.  It was Francis who adopted the O.F.M. (Order of Friars Minores) to indicate they ministered to the poor in the lower part of Assisi.

This photograph shows me holding your intentions at the tomb of St. Francis of Assisi in the lower basilica.

There are 3 levels to the basilica.  This is the middle level.  The ceilings are very ornate.  The upper basilica has beautiful frescoes by the artist Giotto.  Unfortunately no photos.

Below you’ll see the portiuncula.  This is the “small” church within the big church.  The small church was one of the physical churches Francis “rebuilt” after he heard Jesus speaking to him from the San Damiano cross.  We had mass today near this site.

Now it’s on the bus to Florence.  Once we arrive the rest of our afternoon and evening is free for us to relax or walk throughout the city.