Going through Assisi means meeting the history and the stories that are bound to Francis.

Assisi Italy: Map of the old town center

One can study history but one must track down stories. The city seems almost made for this task with its alleys and corners, archways and taverns, churches and chapels. There awaits the story of Francis, of him who lived in this city which saw the fateful conflict with his parents' the tales of San Rufino and of the Rocca; the meeting with Clare and the clash between spiritual and temporal powers.

There lies the story of his call at San Damiano; of the beginnings which entwine themselves around the Portiuncula; pictures of a man torn between the marketplace and the isolation of the Carceri; the fascination in the Church of St. Clare; stories and ideas that became stone, color and life in the Church of St. Francis of Assisi is all that and more, and such can it become for those who make their way there.

(From: "Unterwegs mit Franziskus")
1 (1991) 17

The Saint's City

" When in Assisi, many believe time has stood still. But the experience is not of a museum dedicated to the preservation of history. Rather, it places people into earlier, distantly believed realities which prove themselves as present, although on a higher level. One does not need fantasy for such an experience because it is not about creating a historical stage with images, but about picking up and putting on the life-filled spirit which flows into every stone, every flower, every corner, every stairway, every church wall and every cry from a bird."

Justin Lang, O.F.M.
Grace Mc Donald, F.S.P.A.

PLACES IN THE STORY OF ST. FRANCIS
AND THE BROTHERS OF PENANCE.

 TOR Resource Manual - Pages 188 - 196

PLACES HAVE POWER

That is why it's important for husbands and wives to visit the places where the other grew up. To understand St. Francis and enter into communion with him, you must visit the places that were significant for him and which became significant because of him! Just as the room where a famous author or painter worked is often left untouched as it was on the day of his death so you can see traces of them in this place so familiar to them just as you can in their works. (Tournier, P. A Place for you)

These places are presented so that you can draw power from them and each has a special mystery which can be entered into. They are "sacred ground' for us and are presented to inspire us with the ideals and spirit of St. Francis. It is like listening to the sounds of the sea in a sea shelf. The special message will be found in silence as so much of God's Word was revealed in silence.

Sometimes a particular place has not escaped modernization or the inundation of tourists being hurried along by guides. But there are still Franciscan places which seem to be as Francis left them..... full of silence, conducive to prayer, reminders of his poverty and simplicity. And of course, even the landscapes have as much to say as sanctuaries or buildings like the timeworn facade of the Temple of Minerva which witnessed the events of Francis' epic. Many times he saw the same horizon we see, the unchangeable outline of the hills, the Tevere river and the brooks, and loved it all and sang of it in his Praises.

For those fortunate enough to actually be visiting these places, these pages can help you to know Francis the Penitent of Assisi better and, perhaps, be a means of being renewed in your vocation. Afterwards, they can be used to return and rediscover what you have visited and lived.

For those friars who cannot actually visit these places, may these pages help you to go on a pilgrimage in spirit and to have access to the grace of peace and conversion.

ASSISI

The Assisi Francis knew was much smaller than it is today. The remains of the old XIII century city walls can be seen today, which include the Arco del Seniinario (Via.S. Francesco), the Arco dei Pucci (Corso Mazzini) and the Via Sant'Apollinare.

The enchanting winding streets of this little town easily carry us back to the time of Francis. They help us recall his youth and his conversion. Read: Legend of 3 Comp. 7,8; Legend of 3 Comp.,21; 3 Comp. 26. They lead to places rich with our history: the Monastery of San Quirico originally a Monastery of TOR nuns founded by Bl. Angeline of Marsciano... so one of the original sites where the women Penitents of St. Francis evolved into the Third Order Regular. The old Monastery of St. Anthony, (now a public school) the site of several General Chapters of the Friars of the Third Order Regular. The house next to the Monte Frumentario where the friars regrouped after the civil suppression and expulsion from the original St. Anthony Monastery. The House of St. Francis' family so simple and conducive to prayer. The Temple of Minerva .... our Church of Santa Maria, provincial center for our Province of St. Francis. It is not too difficult to mentally picture Francis in these streets, on the steps of this Temple, in this Piazza at the different stages of his life.

SAN DAMIANO

In spite of repairs and improvements it remains essentially the same as it was in the time of Francis.

The Facade: (The portico and side buildings are from the 16th century.)

To the left of the Rose Window and a little below it is the door which leads to the sisters' dormitory but originally was the entrance door to the monastery situated above ground for security. A wooden staircase was suspended from it and at night was drawn up to protect the household. We know this was so here because at the "wake" in 1253 after the death of Agnes, the sister of S. Clare, so many people were standing on the wooden stairs waiting to view the body that the chains snapped and the stairway fell!

(Later, in the houses of the city when more peaceful times prevailed these types of higher doors had stairs built up to them and the lower doors to shops or stables were cemented over the "legendary" doors of the dead!) The Crucifix of San Damiano (Now in Basilica of S. Clare).

When Francis heard the Voice, according to the Legend of the 3 Companions, there was only the chapel and the little wing with the residence of the priest where the refectory stands.

The Window. He sold bales of his father's cloth in Foligno. When the priest would not accept the money he threw the bag onto the ledge of this window. (Legend of the 3 Companions, 13) He had to learn that God did not need his money but needed Francis to give of himself so begged stones and worked with others to repair walls as he probably had on the walls of Assisi when the Rocca was torn down by the people of Assisi.

Legend of Perugia, 42-44 The Canticle of the Creatures written here?

After the death of S. Francis, Clare lived here for 27 years. The famous Legend of the route of the Saracens story of St. Clare facing the Saracens from the doorway with the Custodia held aloft and they ran away. Idea expressed in statues of Clare. However, from the testimony given for her canonization it didn't happen quite that way, but she did go before the Sacrament and prayed and the convent was saved.

The Refectory, the Dormitory have Clare's place marked with flowers.

Reflect upon the Prayer before the Cross of San Damiano .... its symbolism: light/darkness, heart, faith & obedience. The prayer of St. Francis during his process of conversion, becoming a Penitent attached to San Damiano.

CASA GUALDI & S. RUFINO
The- service of Francis to the lepers.

About 1/2 way down the road that leads from Assisi to the Portiuncula on the right there stands the Casa Gualdi - a large, fairly expensive looking villa type building. In front of this place used to run the Via Francesca, the road from Rome to France. Here stood the 13th century leprosarium "San Salvador of the Walls."

In the Middle Ages the law required anyone with the disease to live apart from society in such places. This "exile"' was even conducted within a religious ceremony in which the leper received his distinctive dress and bell and confided to the mercy of God and charity of the people. So, it has to be near here that Francis had one of the most liberating experiences of his life .... he overcame his fears and embraced a leper (Test.) From this spot he looked up and gave his final blessing to his beloved city of Assisi.

St. Francis also served at another leperhouse, that of San Ruffino d'Arce close to Rivotorto and the little Church of San Pietro della Spina, one of the chapels restored by St. Francis. In these places he volunteered his service to care for these poor "Brother Christians" (LP 99) and, knowing the value of this contact and this charitable exercise, made it an experience of the first novitiate:

"That is why from the very beginning, when the brothers began to multiply, he made it very clear that they were to live in lazarets to serve the lepers. At that time, when postulants presented themselves, whether nobles or commoners, they were forewarned that among other things they would have to serve the lepers and live in their hospitals. " LP 102

As the Friars became more involved in the clerical mission of preaching and since the Poor Ladies of San Damiano were cloistered, it was the Brothers and Sisters of Penance who, inspired by Francis, treasured this among their many charitable activities. They founded or supported leprosariums by contributing their material goods and personal services to the lepers. Poverty for them was the practical virtue of seeing Christ "Who made Himself poor for us" in the poor and ministering to His needs.

• I. In terms of formation, how important is it to be in contact with "lepers"? Read carefully SP44 .... what is Francis after?

• 2. Does this example of Francis and the Brothers and Sisters of Penance say anything normative about the choice of life-work the brothers are to take or be interested in?

• 3. If you were to write your own Testament, what "lepers" would you have to embrace before truly "leaving the world."..i.e. beginning a life of Penance?

• 4. Read A. Van Corstanje: Francis, Bible of the Poor, p. 38ff. for the Ritual of the Lepers.

PORTIUNCULA

This was a small dilapated chapel by a path in the woods. After Francis repaired San Damiano, then San Pietro, he did the same for St. Mary of the Angels or Portiuncula. I Cel 21.

All that he was familiar with is gone..... replaced by a Basilica, a city and a highway .... except for the little chapel inside. If we think on it, it helps us to remove the "romantic" ideas of Franciscan life that we might be tempted to copy ... to indulge in pious theatre. We have to grasp the essential ideas of his life and spirituality so that we can live them in our contemporary society.

Legend of Perugia 8: The Benedictines "rent" the chapel to Francis.

Fioretti 18: The Chapter of Mats of May 1217 & 5000 friars ... to meet and encourage one another, and to make decisions with Francis. It might be good to reflect on our General and Provincial Chapters and see that we continue in this line of coming together as brothers to make decisions.

A place of Mission: From here Francis sent out his friars to evangelize the world. Are we conscious that this is an essential aspect of our life and how is this communicated to those in Formation?

SAN PIETRO DELLA SPINA

San Damiano and the Portiuncula are cherished and visited by Franciscans as holy places rebuilt by St. Francis with his own hands. There is a third church which constant tradition identifies as the church which St. Francis repaired .... the little church of San Pietro della Spina some 3 kilometers from San Damiano about midway to the Portiuncula along the old Via Cupa di S.Petrignano, in the zone of Rivotorto. Fortini cites a document dating from 1030 which mentions it for the first time.

Unfortunately, while two of the churches St. Francis repaired, San Damiano and Santa Maria degli Angeli, are in their glory as places of prayer and pilgrimage, the this third church is again derelict, used as a barn for the storage of hay and farm implements. The family which owns the property also has the original bell cote and a painting of St. Francis which hung in the church.

It needs someone to listen again to the words Francis heard from the Crucifix! A member of the SFO in one of our fraternities has proposed that this would be a good task for the followers of the Poverello of Assisi to undertake..... to reclaim this church and rededicate it to the service of God as the motherhouse and headquarters for all the Secular Franciscans of the world!

• 1 . The little chapel of St. Peter in Assisi and the great basilica in Rome symbolized for Francis the faith of the Church. What does it mean to share the faith of the apostles? ( Leg. mag. chap. 11, n. 7.)

• 2. What was the relationship of St. Francis and his followers to the Pope and to the priests and bishops?

• 3. The Secular Franciscan Order has always found encouragement by the Successors of Peter as a means to revitalize the Church. What is the relationship between us and the SFO? How can you encourage and better serve these Franciscan brothers and sisters?

BASILICA OF ST. FRANCIS

There are numerous guidebooks to describe this beautiful church but we want to go down to the TOMB of ST. FRANCIS. Happily, here there are no ornaments of gold or silver. We see the sarcophagus of rough stones under which Francis was buried. Francis lived divested of riches and divested he remains, his spirit is not profaned. No miracle interfered with the natural process of the disintegration of his body. Here he awaits the Resurrection surrounded by the remains of his faithful friends: Angelo, Rufino, Leo, Masseo, and Lady Jacqueline. 

Here we experience the joy of being a son of St. Francis .... in his presence. Here we pray for our Franciscan brothers and sisters in the words of the first brothers:

Draw us to yourself, worthy father, that we may run after thee "to the odor of thy ointments," we who you see are lukewarm because of our sloth, languid because of our idleness, half alive because of our negligence. The little flock is following you with hesitant steps; our weakened eyes cannot bear the dazzling rays of your perfection. Renew our days as in the beginning, 0 mirror and Model, and do not allow that we who are like you in your profession be unlike you in our life...... Remember all your sons and daughters, O Holy Francis, who surrounded by so many dangers follow your footsteps, although from how great a distance you, Holy Father, know perfectly! Give them strength that they may resist; purify them that they may shine forth; rejoice them that they might be happy. Pray that the spirit of grace and of prayer be poured upon them; .... that they may be filled with the charity with which you always loved Christ Crucified..."

MONTEFALCO:
The Little Church of St. Rocco.

"The Portiuncula" of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis On July 25, 1448, in a scene reminiscent of the chapter of Mats, some 300 Friars of the Order of Penance came together around the little Church of San Rocco, Montefalco. These representatives of the fraternities of Italy were responding to the Bull "Pastoralis Officii" of Pope Nicholas V to hold the Ist General Chapter of the Order under the presidency of Bishop Antonio Severini of Gubbio, Bishop Venturino Marni of Cremona, and the Abbot of St. Paul Outside the Walls, Rome. Fr. Bartolomeo Bonamati of Perugia was elected the first Minister General. In this place were also held the 2nd (August 3, 1451) and the 10th   (May 15, 1475) General Chapters of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis of Penance.

In 1526 the Church was returned to the Bishop and became the responsibility of a diocesan rector. In 1536 the church became the site of a Poor Clare monastery. For many years it was more or less abandoned. Don Amico Amici, pastor of San Fortunato, was responsible for heading a restoration project, 1947. The site of the church is known as Camiano, Colle Podioli or Poggioli.
G. Andreozzi, ANALECTA, vol V.

San Rocco was a "place of decision" for the origins of our Order with its own duplication of the famous "chapter of mats. " Do we reflect on tile important fact that each brother is called to contribute his prayer and opinion in the various chapters of the Fraternity..... and not leave this to others or experts?

SANTA MARIA DELLA "SELVA   MATTUTINA"

This small church stands in a field between Montefalco and Castel Rinaidi and was a a house of the Order for 400 years. In it were held several General Chapters. It has some precious frescos depicting St. Francis and St. Anthony of Padua in the traditional TOR habit with the pointed capuce. There is also a beautiful example of the coat of arms of the Order.

FOLIGNO

In 1206, after hearing the Voice from the Crucifix, Francis took some bolts of cloth from his father's store and rode off to the nearby city of Foligno to sell them and his horse for money to rebuild San Daniiano.

The Church of San Francesco contains the tombs of the 2 Angelas.

Blessed Angela of Foligno (d. 1309)
and Blessed Angeline of Marsciano (d. 1445)

Blessed Angeline established a monastery of Sisters of the Third Order here in 1397. She founded several other monasteries of T.O. "Regular" Nuns and in 1428 applied to the Pope for permission to unite these communities into a congregation . Angeline was the first "Ministra General. " This seems to be the first documented status of Franciscans of the Order of Penance as a professed religious community. In the course of time so many convents arose from these first monasteries, with many later developing into Congregations that Blessed Angelina is often called the Foundress of the Regular Third Order of women.

• I. We are reminded that the women were there before us!.. and they still are the most numerous part of the Third Order Regular Family.

• 2. Above the 17th century choir stalls of the Basilica of Sts. Cosmas and Damian, Rome, one side has paintings of the "blessed" brothers while the other those of the sisters venerated as "blessed." (Also, the wing where the Minister General's office is located.) Do we appreciate the fact that our Rule is directed to the Brothers AND Sisters of the Third Order Regular?

• 3 . What is our relation with communities of Franciscan Sisters? Do we try to extend fraternal service to them? Do we value their witness and therefore promote vocations to their congregations?

MONTECASALE:

This place is a reminder of the strong eremitical tradition from the early days of our Order. The hermitage of Montecasale is a jewel of Franciscan simplicity. It stands out among the terraces on the mountain some 2000 feet high in thickly wooded area. At the beginning of the 13th century there had been a small hospital dedicated to St. Mary. In 1213 the Bishop of Citta Castello offered the place to St. Francis. The Saint seemed to have a special love for this spot and often spent time here especially after the Stigmata during his long return journey from La Verna. He named as Guardian of this little friary Brother Angelo whom he honored for his generosity and vocation. It is said that St. Francis wrote his Rule for Hermitages for the friars who lived here. (Legenda Major X,2; II Cel 98: Prayer) (Rule for Hermitages.)

It is the place of the famous encounter with the robbers and the story of their conversion ... (Fioretti 26)...and we see the door where Francis welcomed them. It moves us to pray for a renewal of that grace of Penance/Conversion. For here we celebrate one of the dominant traits of Franciscan Spirituality and the special Charism of our Franciscan Order of Penance. We praise God for His goodness in calling us to a life of continually turning to Him and are encourage to work at announcing Peace and reconciling extremes. (TOR Rule, chap. ix) 

As you enter the convento there is a plaque with a litany of all the things for which the Sanctuary is memorable. There is the chapel and the statue of the Virgin which Francis venerated, the cloister and the small, austere cells where St. Bonaventure and St. Anthony lived for a time.

When the Friars Minor left Montecasale to live in the town, some hermit-friars of Penance took over the friary with the approval of the bishop and remained here until 1531 when it passed into the care of the Capuchin Friars Minor.

• 1. The Rule for Hermitages proves that some brothers were "oratores" dedicated more totally to the contemplative life. Francis himself always had a certain preference for it. The desire for a contemplative way of life was very strong in the Order of Penance as noted in the lives of so many "Blesseds" of those early years. It is that facet of our Charism that the Nuns of the Third Order Regular keep before us by the witness of their Cloisters. What is the meaning of the contemplative aspect of Franciscan life? Become more informed about our contemplative sisters.

• 2. As we noted, Francis was torn between a life of preaching and a life of contemplation. How did he solve his dilemna? What is the meaning of his solution for us today?

• 3. Suggested Reading: The Constitutions of the TOR Nuns (1992 text)

RIETI

St. Francis loved this region and especially the valley area surrounded by the mountain heights. He passed through here many times on his journeys to and from Rome and spent a great part of the last years of his life in this area. Besides Assisi and La Verna, no other place is so filled with memories of Francis. There are 4 special Franciscan sanctuaries here: Greccio, Fonte Colombo, La Foresta and Poggio Bustone. They breathe a spirit of peace, silence and humility. Their charm is to be found in the beauty of nature and in the riches of Lady Poverty.

The City of Rieti is an ancient city surrounded by mediaeval wall fortifications. The Bishop's Palace is where St. Francis often stayed as a guest but little of the original building remains since it has all been rebuilt. Rieti was a favorite place for the Popes. During the lifetime of St. Francis, Pope Honorius spent much time here.

It is a place which should be very special to Secular and Religious Brothers and Sisters of the Order of Penance of St. Francis. It was here on August 18, 1289 that the Franciscan, Pope Nicholas IV issued the Bull Supra Montem which approved the Rule professed by the Secular Franciscans until that of Leo XIII in 1883 and by the Friars of the Third Order Regular and many Congregations until 1927.

POGGIO BUSTONE

A little village perched high on a hill about 10 miles from Rieti. In 1209, shortly after his conversion, the Saint greeted the townspeople with "Good Morning, Good People!" There is a commemorative tablet engraved with these words and on the Feast of St. Francis a herald goes from street to street awakening the people with that greeting of Francis.

One of his reasons for coming to this far off place was to be unknown and able to weep quietly and secretly over his recent past. 1 Celano 26. In a cave above the town he prayed and received assurance from God that his sins had indeed been forgiven and the past was over. This Peace with God was the source of his peace with all men and women.

He saw in a vision that his Order would grow, spreading to many lands and this filled him and his little band of 6 brothers with confidence. Filled with the joy of God's approval, Francis sent his brothers in pairs to preach the peace and joy which they had received. 1 Cel 26 - 27.

• 1 . How does this connect with Chapter IX of our TOR Rule?

• 2. Remember special moments of peace and joy received in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.... Give thanks to God and pray for confessors and spiritual directors.

• 3. Friar-priests should reflect upon their privileged ministry of sacramental reconciliation and the words of peace and compassion to be offered to sinners.

• 4. Pray for the blessing of many vocations attracted to Francis that they might go from Francis to others.

IMOLA
Sanctuary of the Madonna of Piratello.

St. Francis was very devoted to Mary as can be seen from his writings and the many stories about the way he and his friars honored Mary. This particular Church of Our Lady can represent many of our friaries and churches dedicated to Mary.

In 1488 the Blessed Virgin appeared to a penitent on pilgrimage to Rome. This man was very dedicated to Mary and had brought along a quantity of candles and he would light one at each Marian shrine along his route to Rome. The Virgin appeared to him and directed him to the town's authorities to ask that a chapel be built there. The Lady Caterina Sforza decided to build a Church and a convent and asked the Pope, Innocent VIII to entrust it to the Brothers of Penance of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis. And so Blessed Jeremias Lambertenghi was sent to supervise the work of building this House of Mary. In joyful imitation of St. Francis and out of devotion to Mary, he even carried the bricks and cement for the new church. For 20 years, he served in this sanctuary as Vicar, as Procurator, as Local Minister and proved to be an ideal Superior. Fittingly he is buried there.

The apostolate at this Marian Sanctuary from his time until ours is typical of such places. The Friars welcome pilgrims, foster prayer and devotion to Mary, and are Instruments of conversion by preaching and offering the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

• 1 . Reflect upon the role of the Virgin Mary in Francis' discovery of his vocation. LM 3/1.

• 2. Compare the texts: LM IX, 3 and 2 Cel 198 in order to discover St. Francis' devotion to Mary.

• 3. Make your own The Salutation to the Blessed Virgin which he wrote. 2Cel 19.

• 4. Look up the titles he gives to Mary in the Sacrum Commercium to see what they reveal about his understanding of her.

FLORENCE

Almost without fail, wherever there was a fraternity of Franciscan Brothers and Sisters of Penance they would be involved in caring for the sick as administrators or nurses. Many times it was through their efforts of fundraising and maintenance that such hospices were built.

A typical example is at Florence, in the Piazza of Sta. Maria Novella, where the famous Hospital of St. Paul is located. In 1221 St. Francis may well have stayed in or near it when he gave the habit of Penance to some men there. For 200 years, the friars ministered to the sick and dying here.

• 1. Many Congregations of Franciscan Sisters and Brothers are dedicated to the service of the sick. How can we friars recover the aspect of practical service to the sick so characteristic of our Order for centuries?

• 2. Do you think our programs of formation should have an experience of serving the sick as an essential part? How would you do this?

ROME

Here the Friars of the Third Order Regular administered 2 hospitals: St. Girolamo della Carita near the Palazzo Farnese (Sta. Maria della Carita in Catinari?) and S. Girolamo al Celio near S. Stefano Rotondo. It was his familiarity and appreciation of their work which moved Cardinal Alexander Farnese in 1512 to have the Friars assigned to the care of the Basilica of the Holy Physician-Martyrs, Sts. Cosmas and Damian. One of the treasures of the Basilica is the icon of the Madonna della Salute. Devotion to Mary under this title has been carried by our Friars to many parts of the world.

The Convent of Sts. Cosmas and Damian is the centuries old residence of the Minister General and his Curia.

Compiled from the following Sources:

Analecta T. O.R., Rome.

Desbonnets, Theophile. Assisi in the Footsteps of St. Francis. Paris: Ed. Franciscaines, 1971.

Dubois, A. Conversations in Umbria. Chicago: Franciscan Herald Press, 1980.

Fortini, Arnaldo. Francis of Assisi. New York: Crossroads Publ., 1985. ( p. 248 - 249)

"Franciscans on Pilgrimage" - Assisi Experience booklet.

Isabel, Damien. The Franciscan Workbook. Chicago: Franciscan Herald Press, 1979.

Mercier, SFO, Elizabeth. "Lady Poverty Fraternity." Winter Park, Florida, USA.

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