1) Here's a map to show you WHERE Assisi is located:
(You can also see ROME, FLORENCE, VENICE, and POMPEII on this map.)
2) Here is a link to The Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, Italy:
http://www.franciscanfriarstor.com/archive/stfrancis/stf_basilica_st_francis.htm
3) Link = photo of the "upper church" (Basilica of St. Francis)
http://www.bellaumbria.net/umbria_italy/umbria-popup.php?img_inpopup=/Assisi/basilica-superiore-san-francesco.jpg&alt_popup=Superior%20Basilica%20of%20St.%20Francis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQgBpiQp1S0
5) Since St. Francis is the patron saint of animals, I went in search of "Animals of Italy."
Here's a clip about ITALIAN ANIMALS!
http://www.kidcyber.com.au/topics/italyfauna.htm
6) Here is another picture and a little more history about the town of Assisi.
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. 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.
7) Another summary of what a person can see and do in Assisi, Italy.
8) Some information about St. Clare...
Patron of sore eyes
9) Here is some information about the life of St. Francis of Assisi:
http://conservation.catholic.org/st__francis_of_assisi.htm
2) Here is a link to The Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, Italy:
http://www.franciscanfriarstor.com/archive/stfrancis/stf_basilica_st_francis.htm
3) Link = photo of the "upper church" (Basilica of St. Francis)
http://www.bellaumbria.net/umbria_italy/umbria-popup.php?img_inpopup=/Assisi/basilica-superiore-san-francesco.jpg&alt_popup=Superior%20Basilica%20of%20St.%20Francis
4) Here's a short video about the St. Francis Basilica:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQgBpiQp1S0
5) Since St. Francis is the patron saint of animals, I went in search of "Animals of Italy."
Here's a clip about ITALIAN ANIMALS!
http://www.kidcyber.com.au/topics/italyfauna.htm
6) Here is another picture and a little more history about the town of Assisi.
ASSISI
 |
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. 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.
7) Another summary of what a person can see and do in Assisi, Italy.
The city of Assisi -- birthplace of the ascetic Saint Francis, Italy's patron saint -- draws 4 million to 5 million visitors a year, according to Frommer's, which deems it one of the country's top attractions along with Rome's Coliseum and the Venetian canals. In 2000, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization inscribed Assisi, known for its Christian monuments, as a World Heritage Site.
Religious Sites
Assisi's main attraction, the 13th-century Basilica of San Francesco, was St. Francis' final resting place. It consists of two basilicas. The interior of the lower basilica is covered in frescoes; paintings in the upper basilica chronicle St. Francis' life. Assisi's Basilica of Santa Chiara is the resting place of Saint Clare, friend of St. Francis. The 13th-century church houses St. Francis' crucifix and a piece of St. Clare's hair. Inside the Duomo di San Rufino, Assisi's cathedral, stands the font where both saints were baptized. Also worth a visit is Santa Maria sopra Minerva, a 16th-century church built over a Roman temple to Minerva, where you can see the original six-column facade. Visitors are welcome at the isolated Eremo delle Carceri, St. Francis' monastic home outside the city, which is still in use. Also in the vicinity of Assisi is the Santa Maria degli Angeli church, which contains the chapel where St. Clare took her vows. Visitors to religious sites in Italy should dress conservatively: Exposed legs and bare shoulders are not allowed.
Secular Attractions
Allot time for a stroll around the Piazza del Comune, Assisi's medieval main square and the center of its social and civic life. Atop a hill overlooking the city is the Rocca Maggiore fortress, the current incarnation of which dates to the 14th century. Visitors can enter the restored soldiers' quarters. Take a flashlight if you plan to venture to the top of the watch tower; the spiral staircase is pitch-black otherwise. Nature enthusiasts should explore Mount Subasio Regional Park, where geological phenomena include a ravine and a number of sinkholes known as doline.
8) Some information about St. Clare...
St. Clare
Clare was a beautiful Italian noblewoman who became the Foundress of an order of nuns now called "Poor Clares." When she heard St. Francis of Assisi preach, her heart burned with a great desire to imitate Francis and to live a poor humble life for Jesus. So one evening, she ran away from home, and in a little chapel outside Assisi, gave herself to God. St. Francis cut off her hair and gave her a rough brown habit to wear, tied with a plain cord around her waist. Her parents tried in every way to make her return home, but Clare would not.
Soon her sister, St. Agnes joined her, as well as other young women who wanted to be brides of Jesus, and live without any money. St. Clare and her sisters wore no shoes, ate no meat, lived in a poor house, and kept silent most of the time. Yet they were very happy, because Our Lord was close to them all the time. Once, He saved them from a great danger in answer to St. Clare's prayer. An army of rough soldiers came to attack Assisi and they planned to raid the convent first. Although very sick, St. Clare had herself carried to the wall and right there, where the enemies could see it, she had the Blessed Sacrament placed. Then on her knees, she begged God to save the Sisters.
"O Lord, protect these Sisters whom I cannot protect now," she prayed. A voice seemed to answer: "I will keep them always in My care." At the same time a sudden fright struck the attackers and they fled as fast as they could. St. Clare was sick and suffered great pains for many years, but she said that no pain could trouble her. So great was her joy in serving the Lord that she once exclaimed: "They say that we are too poor, but can a heart which possesses the infinite God be truly called poor?" We should remember this miracle of the Blessed Sacrament when in Church. Then we will pray with great Faith to Jesus in the Holy Eucharist: "Save me, O Lord, from every evil - of soul and body." Her feast day is August 11.
9) Here is some information about the life of St. Francis of Assisi:
http://conservation.catholic.org/st__francis_of_assisi.htm
