Assisi Diary - Day 28 - Services and Scenes Around Town

As today started out sunny, I headed down to Santa Maria degli Angeli to attend mass and pick up some groceries.  A couple of observations on how liturgical services seem to differ here from the U.S.   First, in Italy, while people generally rise, sit or kneel in unison, often part of the congregation may be kneeling while another part may be standing, or one may find kneeling, sitting and standing all going on at once.  Also, while one may fairly well anticipate how long a service will last in the U.S., things here seem less predictable.  One afternoon I stopped by for a 5:30 p.m. service at the Basilica of Saint Clare, only to find it packed full, with firemen in uniform wandering about.  There appeared so much anticipation, it seemed the Pope might arrive.  When the mass began, with much incense and a procession of about 20 clerics, I realized looked to be a very long service, and quietly left for another one at San Rufino beginning at six o'clock.

Today, however, the 9:00 a.m. mass at Santa Maria degli Angeli, with perhaps 40 in attendance, and including a sermon, moved along so briskly that afterwards I walked to the grocery store, picked up a few items, and was part way back to Assisi when 10:00 a.m. rolled around. 

That's not to suggest that brevity (the soul of wit) or lengthiness (thoroughness) make for a better mass.  The essence of the mass is not to be improved upon.  However, a well-thought out sermon, or a well-presented liturgy, tend to inspire in wonderful ways, regardless of length, adding in a fine way to the graces received.  (I’ll confess to having witnessed sermons in Italian, understanding little, that were presented with such sincere enthusiasm that every time the word “pace” was spoken, I felt joyfully uplifted by a spirit of peace.)

Speaking of wit, one of my favorite mass observations occurs at the little church of Santa Margherita.  There the priest, at the end of the weeknight mass, while leaving the altar, invariably leans up and blows out the Easter Candle, then proceeds back to the sacristy.  I suppose, having lit small flames in the hearts of the congregation, there’s no need to hesitate in closing up for the evening.

Here’s a few scenes around town.  Dog in window.

Nun assisting elder and budding soccer player.

Group travel.

Ciao.