So glad Aline showed me how to navigate the train station yesterday. It’s basically a mall with a train and bus station.
I wait. And wait.
And wait. For my platform assignment. It just happens to be platform 2EST. Where’s that? So glad you asked. Logically, it’s at the very end of platform 1. Not 2. And don’t go down the wrong platform. It doesn’t look this there are any bridges.
I make it to the right train just in time for departure to Assisi, Italy!
Ok. Now this is the Italy I was expecting. Wow! I feel like I stepped into a photo.
I had booked a hotel next to St Clare’s. The hotel recommended Andre for my driver. He was informative giving tidbits on the lay of the land. He also recommended a tour guide.
I check into the hotel with just enough time to walk to St Francis Basilica for daily mass at 11am. The basilicas in Rome all had a similar layout and features.
This one was a little different. Maybe because it’s built into the side of a hill?
I asked a volunteer where the adoration chapel is. She didn’t know what I was saying. So I pulled out google translate. Still no clue. All the basilicas in Rome had one so I know it’s a thing here. I go off on my own to find it. That led me to the crypt where St Francis and companions are buried. There’s a tabernacle so I pray there instead and ask St Francis to pray for me too.
Crash course in Catholicism if you’re lost: the foundation of our faith and ultimate worship is the Holy Eucharist - the True Presence of Jesus Christ in the consecrated bread and wine. See John 6 in the Bible. Normally the Eucharist is kept in the tabernacle (a gold box by the alter). You know He’s there because there’s a red candle next to it.
Eucharistic Adoration is a special time when Jesus is in a special vessel called a monstrance for the faithful to adore (pray in front of). How do we know that’s really Him? Faith! And there have been miracles throughout the centuries that prove that little piece of bread is our Lord. We’ll be covering more of those the next few weeks. These words are going to come in handy as we learn about the saints in this town.
A soon to be Saint is here in Assisi, too! Carlo Acutis built a website dedicated to Eucharistic Miracles. See that here.
Back to the basilica… Again no photos allowed so here are highlights courtesy Duck Duck Go search. I haven’t toured the entire thing yet either. That’s tomorrow.
By this time I’m getting hungry and need to find WiFi. Oh look here… this little wine and olive oil shop looks promising. 😏
A sampling of 3 reds, cheese with balsamic glazes, local olive oil drizzled over toasted bread and truffle bruschetta (black and white). There’s something to be said for quality olive oil. It’s so robust in flavor!
And the wine came with a story. My favorite. The middle one is a single grape wine. This grape is a descendent of a grape that was saved during the medieval prohibition days. The local priests (Franciscans I believe) needed wine for holy communion. They grew the grapes and made the wine in secret!
Should probably verify the facts but I like the story so we’ll save research for later.
Also there’s something to the different shapes of wine glasses. It makes a difference in the taste. I need a set for my house.
I was able to get a good amount of work done as well. It can’t be all fun and games. Although I do find my work fun so maybe it can be.
I tour another major church: St Clare’s. Her story is fascinating and connected to St Francis.
Cliff’s notes:
Back in the 1200’s Francis was a charming dude who wanted wealth and admiration. He was a knight! And even captured and imprisoned for a year by the enemy. When he got home he went through so hard times spiritually. And that’s not even scratching the surface but for time sake we’ll keep it at that. He denounced all his dad’s money and even stripped down naked at a hearing with the bishop to show he belongs to Jesus and no one else.
He started a movement and gained followers.
A time later Clare, a beautiful girl of a noble family was struck by the homily at Mass one day. She had a change of heart and wanted to follow Francis’ lead denouncing wealth and worldly possessions. She cut off her beautiful hair and went to live in a nearby convent because the Franciscans didn’t have a house for ladies yet.
She’s the foundress of the Poor Clares. Although she didn’t name them that. They took on that name after she died.
View from the piazza
I’m pretty tired and need to get more work done so I spend the evening working in my hotel room. And early to bed!
Random note: plastic bottles over here have a funny extra price that keeps the lid attached to the bottle. Good to keep the landscape clean bad for drinking out of.
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