We started at the top of the village and walked downhill. Which I’m grateful for that strategy!
A quick bite to go and we’re off!
By the way: truffle spread is chef’s kiss.
Assisi Cathedral dedicated to San Rufino
This is where Francis and Clare were baptized. Where Clare heard Francis preaching and realized her calling from God to denounce worldly possessions and live trusting Him completely.
A relic of Carlo Acutis, the soon to be saint, is here as well.
Clear flooring looks like a river to reveal ancient Roman ruins.
The back of the church still has the old Roman cistern.
The floor also has the symbol (logo) of St Francis. The bare arm is Jesus and the arm with a sleeve represents St Francis because he bore the stigmata.
Pax Bonum: peace and good will
The Church of Santa Maria Maggiore
This was the original cathedral in the 11th century, built on top of an early Christian church which was built on top of a Roman temple to Apollo. The current cathedral for Assisi is the previous church we were just at.
This church is currently famous for hosting the relics of Carlo Acutis. He was a faithfilled teen (1991-2006). He loved video games and all things teen boys do. And he loves Jesus. He built my favorite website dedicated to Eucharistic Miracles here. It organizes all of the Vatican approved miracles by country.
How does one become a saint? Short answer: miracles are attributed to their intersession (prayer to God on our behalf).
The primary miracle that led to Carlo Acutis's beatification involved the healing of a young boy in Brazil diagnosed with a rare and severe congenital disease when he touched Carlo’s PJs. The healing was deemed miraculous because it was rapid, complete, and scientifically inexplicable.
The second miracle that led to canonization was a young woman who fell off a bike and suffered a brain hemorrhage. Doctors didn’t have a positive diagnosis and she was in a comma. Her mom prayed for Carlos’ intersession. The very same day her mom visited his tomb her daughter was healed. Miraculously. Inexplainable by science.
He will be canonized as a saint this April.
The process for canonization is rigorous and thorough. It’s not a title given out easily.
The saints are alive and helping us on our journey to heaven! 😃 I feel like I’m learning about my ancestors I didn’t know I had. After all we are all brothers and sisters in Christ.
Outside this church is where Francis stripped down naked to denounce his father’s wealth once and for all.
The Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi
The conclusion of my guided tour is at the mother church of the Franciscan friars.
Images courtesy Duck Duck Go search 😆
The lower church was the original. Then the upper was built. And lastly the crypt under it all where St Francis and companions are now buried.
Every inch is painted with frescos that tell the story of Christ and life of Francis.
Saint Francis is often referred to as "the other Christ" due to his profound imitation of Christ's life and teachings. This title reflects the deep spiritual connection that Francis had with Jesus, characterized by his commitment to poverty, humility, and service to others. Francis's life was marked by a radical embrace of the Gospel, which he lived out through his actions and the founding of the Franciscan Order, emphasizing a life of simplicity and care for creation.
The frescoes show a transition in art styles as well. The first ones have a gold background popular at the time then artists started experimenting with more realistic backgrounds to give the paintings dimension. The first of 3D! Giotto (pronounced Jotto) was one of the main guys with a brush.
There’s a photo shoot going on so maybe more amazing photos will be available online soon.
End of guided tour.
…
How was our weather? No rain. The sun even came out for a bit! Rain held off just until the end of our tour. Quite literally. It started sprinkling as we said our goodbyes. Prayer: answered.
Local life:
Kids are taught English at a young age.
Moms here also have GPS on their kids. 😂
And teen slang happens in other languages too. SkibbidyRizzGheyat. Bet. Not sure if that means anything but it makes my nephews cringe when I try.
Assisi has an annual medieval festival in May where the upper town and lower town compete for best reenactment. It’s a rivalry that goes back to those times!
The ladies of each house compete for best door decor. In The spring all the streets (that look more like alleys to me) are covered with flowers! The winners get a plaque to hang at their door.
How? 🤯
Although narrow, the streets hold little secrets around every corner.
A nativity. I like the lazy guy above the crib.
A chapel. I wonder if this was also a place of prayer or used for something else at one point. Maybe a Roman temple turned Christian chapel?
Nun spa museum.
Im sure it’s not what the name implies in English. 😂 But it made me laugh.
This fountain from the 1500s has a warning posted: Fine for doing laundry here.
As I make my way back to the hotel ducking under awnings to avoid the spitting rain, I come back through the city center.
Piazza del Comune
This Roman architecture is still in great shape for being over 2000 years old! It sits in the “town square”. We quickly passed by earlier so I figure I should check it out. There’s a sign for a bell tower tour. I go up some very thick steps to the side to find the ticket booth. Then climb up, up, up to the bell tower. The bell was given by someone special I’m sure but I can’t recall.
Back down to see what’s inside.
Yay! A church!
A few people are praying inside. I look for the red candle. Remember that indicates the Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. There it is in a side chapel.
I sit for a while to pray.
People peek in quickly and leave. It’s not an ornate chapel. There’s no art on the walls. Just Jesus. I’m sad for all the times I had no clue and blindly went to church because “that’s what you’re supposed to do.” I’m grateful for His mercy and patience with me.
…
It’s still raining when I come out so I cross the plaza to a restaurant for glass of wine and to recap my day.
…
Time for food. But it’s 5:30 which means nothing is open. Maybe I could find something? I venture out of the hotel to wonder even though it’s still drizzling.
Ooo another church. We didn’t go to this one! I step inside to find out it’s built over Francis’s family home. There’s a cutout to show where his father had locked him up when Francis decided to follow Jesus with a life of poverty. From all the stories, it sounds like his dad was working his way up in social rankings as a cloth merchant and really wanted Francis to take over the family biz to keep moving up. It didn’t go over well. Dad locked him up but mom let him out eventually.
Ok food. I guess I’ll head back to the hotel to that restaurant. It’s cold and raining now. I wait for it to open at bedtime - 7:30 🫠. Thankfully they had an open table despite the Valentine’s Day reservations.
For starters: truffle rice wrapped in bacon (bacon here is not like American bacon) and a tomato stuffed with cream or cheese something and… anchovies (those got picked out) in a “nest” of something crunchy.
The main course: guinea fowl and (finally) vegetables! I was beginning to think this country can’t grow greens. 😂
I declined the dessert menu but chef sent out a plate of chocolates anyway. How thoughtful!
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