Foligno – “where it all began”
A brief but meaningful pilgrimage stop in Foligno — the town where St Francis sold his father’s cloth, setting in motion the events that would transform his life and the world. (3 min read)
A brief visit to the lovely city of Foligno which is the place Francesco took his father’s cloth to sell to make money for the restoration of churches.
The taking of that cloth led to a dispute with Francesco’s father which Bishop Guido of Assisi was asked to decide. During the hearing, In the public square of Assisi, Francis returned all he owned, including his clothing, to his father and publicly declared that in future he would only call God his father.
The main square of Foligno has a sign that acknowledges the sale of the cloth, as well as an interesting new sculpture by Peitro Battoni that references this incident.
The story, and indeed the artwork, is an opportunity to reflect on how certain incidents can realign our lives with our soul’s true path.
I visited the Duomo in Foligno, as well as the shrine of Blessed Angela of Foligno (which is known as the St Francis Church).
There are additional Franciscan sites further out of Foligno but time and the weather got the better of me.
I like Foligno much more than Perugia and it is worthwhile site for a pilgrim following the path of San Francesco.
© Paul McCarthy & Iluminar.au
iluminar.blog 