In the footsteps of Francis...

Last Friday, our community had one last hurrah before the academic year began.  We took a day trip to a few nearby places that figured prominently in the life of St. Francis of Assisi – after all, we are seminarians!  After a few wrong turns and driving through the foggy hills, our first stop was Greccio, a few hours north of Rome.  Francis lived here for some time, and around 1223 had the idea of “reproducing” the first Christmas scene from Bethlehem.  The saint is credited with popularizing the use of crèches.  So, every time you set up your nativity scene under the Christmas tree, you can thank St. Francis.

The Chapel built to commemorate the place where Francis staged his nativity scene.

Looking out to the hillside from the Friary.

Part of the present structure at the Greccio Friary.

Next, we headed to nearby Fontecolombo, named because there is a spring (fonte) where the early Franciscans (colombe) are said to have quenched their spirits.  It was a sort of retreat for Francis.  It is mostly known, though, as the place where Francis wrote the Rule of Life that would eventually be recognized by Pope Honorious III. 

Bro. Joseph at the spring.

The place where Francis probably dictated the Rule to Brother Leo.

As we were visiting these tranquil spots nestled in the mountains there were two things that really struck me.  First, it was quite a powerful experience to walk in the footsteps of Francis and the early Franciscans.  While it is difficult to describe, I found it to be a very special and holy experience to see the personal rooms of Francis and Bonaventure and to be in the chapels where they prayed.  Somehow, it was as if I could feel their spirit and presence in these places even after all these years.

Francis' room in Greccio.  The picture pretty much shows the actual size and how comfortable it would have been.

The small dormitory for the Franciscans at Greccio.  The rooms were evidently very small and very sparse.

A small chapel at Fontecolombo.

Second, while thinking about the first experience, I reflected upon the formative role which the Franciscans played in my early life and in my vocation.  The Friars were the first male religious I ever knew.  I fondly remember them coming to my home parish of St. Henry in Fort Wayne to say mass on Sunday.  I remember them as being simple and humble servants.  As a mass server, I also remember them vesting for mass and always thought it was funny that they put on the hood of their brown habit before putting on the outer vestment.  And of course, even though their presence was limited when I went to Bishop Luers High School, the Franciscan spirit still permeated the school.  It is sort of humbling to think that these simple men (particularly Bro. Ward) must have had some influence on my later religious vocation.  As we celebrated mass in the Chapel at Greccio, I thanked God for the gift of them in my life.  

The "New Church" at Greccio.

 

In the Church at Greccio.  While it's difficult to see, at the bottom there are the "two hands" that is common in Franciscan art.  I remember seeing this symbol many times at Bishop Luers.

 

 Afterwards, we went to the nearby “big city” of Rieti and simply muddled around town.  Among the highlights, we stumbled upon the geographic center of Italy.  Who knew?

"The Center of Italy" in all sorts of languages so everyone knows where they are!

Bro. Javier at the center of Italy.

Here's a few more pictures from the trip.  Enjoy!

Ciao!

The morning fog

The buildings of Greccio built right into the hillside.

At Greccio, there was a Creche collection.  All I could think was "It's nice, but it's not the Marian Library at UD!"  Ha, Ha.

Looking down at Rieti from Fontecolombo.

Bro. Lester with our hero, Francis.

The Cathedral in Rieti.