There cannot be a more beautiful place in the world than Assisi. It is atop a beautiful hill. All the streets are narrow, paved with stone surrounded by houses from midievil times. Sidewalks are a part of the street just another color stone. Streets go up and and down hills (makes walking interesting). Religious (sisters, monks, brothers, priests) walk all about town. Stores are filled with religious articles and liturgical items...for all of you non-catholics, that means priests robes, chalices and other items used during mass.
There are thousands of people there but you still have a sense of quiet. Churches are like the other churches in Italy, large, cold and damp. Mainly because there were built before insulation and microphones so the only way for amplification was through large buildings engineered for that purpose.
Today we went to Santa Maria del Angelis a church built over the small chapel of St. Francis and over the small infirmary where he died. The little chapel and infirmary are completely preserved under the larger church. The chapel was so small for such a larger than life Saint. Overall so beautiful (frescos), so quiet, so peaceful, so God filled.
Then to the Bascillica of San Charia (Saint Clare - follower of St. Francis). Her body is entombed in a glass coffin. She is incorruptible.
Next was down a very steep hill to the Bascillica of San Francesco (St. Francis). There werevarious relics of St. Clare-robes & hair cut when she took her vows and Francis---robes, shoes & stocking with the blood from his stigmata. Then down to the tomb of St. Francis. His body had been placed in a column so that it would not be stolen. They have since uncovered the tomb and put an altar in front of it. THOUSANDS of people processed quietly around the column. Some stopping to pray, some touching it, some kissing it. There were a few pews around for those who wanted to spend time with the saint and pray....it was very quiet there again another place with the strong presence of God....it brought me to tears again. (should have brought tissues along!)
The upper church was beautiful full of frescos on the walls and ceiling. We had mass in the chapel on the lower level. Our priests did the mass in Latin many other people joined us since it was near the entrance.
Our room in Assisi was lovely. Alot of charm, beautiful view. I have been keeping a sketch diary. I find if I sketch what I see, I never forget it as it is forever stamped in my memory as I study what I am drawing.
Tomorrow is another day in Assisi and mostly a free day which is good because I need some time to digest all the spiritual food I have been fed this week.
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