Pilgrimage to Assisi, Italy
Travel | St Francis | Assisi | Italy | Pilgrimage | Sacred Travel | Spirituality
11 September 2016
Four days in Assisi with my sister — two holy doors, the incorrupt body of St Clare, the smell of sanctity, and the peace that surpasses understanding. A reflection written as the sun sets over the Basilica of St Francis. (4 min read)
My desk overlooks the Basilica of St Francis and the valley below Assisi. The sky is many shades of pink and grey and the air is somewhat misty. As the brilliant golden sun sets a choir of nuns sing for a group of young people staying in “our” convent. The prayers are heart-felt and the voices are near angelic. The kids are deeply touched, as am I. At any hour of the day thousands of people are praying all over this little town and many are praying for peace.
Francis was most decidedly Roman Catholic but he was also spiritually gifted and on the fast track to enlightenment. In a little over a week the Pope who bears his name will meet with the world’s religious and spiritual leaders at the Basilica of St Francis to pray for peace. The idea is not new – in fact John Paul II did the same thing 30 years ago and Benedict XVI did his own thing more recently.
I love that the teachings of St Francis resonate with people of all faiths and no faith. On the hill behind Assisi is a hermitage which includes a cave where St Francis retreated and this is now a significant pilgrimage destination and protected by UNESCO. Interestingly, and in defiance of dogma, the statue of Francis is haloed with symbols of the world’s great religions – at a Roman Catholic shrine!
After 4 days in Assisi I am back to normal. The dense energy of worldly matters has been washed away and my connection with spirit is clearer and stronger. The sensations and inspiration I am receiving is akin to a visit to the Casa Dom Inacio de Loyola. In fact, today I spent some time in meditation in front of the tomb of St Francis and felt like I was in meditation at the Casa – the sounds of people walking the lines, the mixture of energies, the huge number of spirit helpers and the release of a lot of dense energy – most interesting and worthwhile – but I did miss Grainne.
My heart is full as I reflect on my experiences during this trip to Assisi and I trust that you, dear reader, will feel this also. We went through two holy doors in Assisi – at the Basilica of St Francis and at the Portiuncula. Our visit coincides with the period for the pardon of Assisi and the celebration of 800th anniversary of this indulgence. The energy in both churches was lovely and I cannot say that there was any noticeable difference between them. In the Basilica of St Clare we were blessed with the mystical smell of sanctity and my sister recalled smelling this when she was recovering from her burns in hospital almost a decade ago – a wonderful confirmation of the miraculous in our lives.
Each evening, when the day trippers go on to Florence, Siena and Rome, we get to enjoy the quiet of the town.
We have eaten very well in Assisi. There are ample truffles and cheese, gelato and other deliciousness to enjoy. The peace that surpasses understanding in palpable here… as is the peace of carbohydrates.
© Paul McCarthy & Iluminar.au
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