Early Morning Assisi

It is good to be back in Assisi. Yesterday I took an early morning walk through town to the Basilica of Saint Clare. All was peaceful, with very few people about. After entering the large basilica, I passed through a short, narrow hallway into the modest Chapel of Saint George, home of the San Damiano Cross. Matins were in progress and it was nice to see several familiar faces.

The Chapel of Saint George is built directly over the former Church of Saint George, where Francis attended school as a youth. The church also was where his remains were interred for a period of time, and where he was canonized. Later, with the construction of the basilica, a wall of the original church served to buttress the new structure. So, there are well over eight centuries of history here.

Having left California less than 48 hours earlier, being in this ancient Italian chapel awakened a sense of cultural contrast. Of late in the U.S., it seems much faith is blurred by moral relativism, much hope is placed in the government's ability to discern right from wrong, and much love suffers from a lack of commitment. Here, at a gathering in the Chapel of Saint George in the Umbrian town of Assisi, one encounters deep faith in God, hope of eternal salvation, and true love of all creation, appreciating the sanctity of all human life. In the silence of the chapel, there is peace to be found in escaping a muddled world for one of joyful clarity.

In words inspired by Saint Francis, "Lord, grant that I may seek to love rather than to be loved."

A few early morning pictures. First, the Piazza del Comune, or town square, without the daytime crowds.

Next, the Church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva, formerly a Roman temple.

Those columns are over two thousand years old, and are among the best preserved in Italy.

It's easy to imagine Francis sitting on those steps with his friends. Next is a gift shop window, clearly oriented toward Assisi visitors.

Then a quiet morning street.

Finally, a hazy morning glimpse across town.

Pace e bene; peace and goodness. Ciao.