Assisi 2020 - I

This is the first in a series of posts sharing information and perspectives on the lives of Saints Francis and Clare, life in Assisi, and seeking to follow Franciscan values in today's world.

Gospel Quote - Luke 8: 22-25. One day, Jesus got into a boat with his disciples and said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side of the lake." And so they set forth, and as they sailed he fell asleep. Then a windstorm swept down on the lake. As a result, the boat was becoming filled with water, and they were in danger. So they went to him and awakened him, saying "Master! Master! We are perishing!"
Then he awakened and rebuked the wind and the turbulent waves. They subsided and there was calm. He said to them, "Where is your faith?"
Faith is a wonderful gift, especially in times of danger and uncertainty.

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Umbrian Adventures - Since travel has been postponed by the coronavirus, this section will share stories from years past. In April 2013, while wandering about the rugged countryside northeast of Mount Subasio....

It was at this point that I came across one of those gems one sometimes encounters in rural Umbria. Next to the road was a small chapel dedicated to Saint Leonard of Noblac, also known as Saint Leonard of Limonges, with the location of this particular chapel resulting in it being named San Leonardo Montarelle.

Who was San Leonardo? He was a noble Fifth and Sixth Century Frenchman who converted to Christianity in the year 496. He gave up power and authority, except for a right to free worthy prisoners, which he gained a reputation for doing. He then became a hermit, lived in the forest and founded an abbey. In the Twelfth Century, San Leonardo became very popular throughout Western Europe, with at least 177 churches dedicated to him. In Italy alone over 200 places bear his name, including this little chapel.

According to a nearby sign, "Popular tradition decrees that the oil used to light the lamp opposite the altar in the chapel could cure 'bone aches'", and San Leonardo "has been the patron of woodland, prisoners, miners and pregnant women." An interesting combination. An internet check confirmed his patronage also includes captives and horses. Although the chapel seen here is fairly new, there are nearby ruins and documentation of a church at this location in the year 1354. Apparently at one point it was decorated with frescos. In the front windows of the current chapel are some votive candles with images of Padre Pio on them.

I don't want to leave the little chapel of San Leonardo Montarelle without sharing a story. You may assume it fiction, unless it is not. According to a writer at a site near Assisi (Brigolante Guest Apartments), legend has it there once was a farmer named Rufinetto who would pass the San Leonardo chapel each day on his way to town, and would ask San Leonardo for permission to remove one penny from the offerings there for his daily cigar. Interpreting silence as implied consent, Rufinetto would pick up a penny and continue on to town for his cigar. Word got out about the farmer's habit and eventually one of his neighbors decided to hide behind the chapel. When Rufinetto stopped in and politely asked San Leonardo for a penny for his daily cigar, a voice responded with a resounding, "No!" A worried Rufinetto hastened away, concerned at how ornery San Leonardo had become.

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Reflections - When Saint Francis was young he was deathly afraid of lepers. He would go to great lengths to avoid having any contact with them. However, as his faith grew, one day he encountered a leper along the road. Suddenly, he felt compelled to stop trying to escape, to embrace the leper and to help him. As soon as he had done so, he felt the peace and joy of a person who has served Jesus.
Francis placed himself at risk, as leprosy was both contagious and deadly. However, he realized the life of his soul was more important.
One might well ask during this time of coronavirus, also contagious and deadly, does this mean we are to take unnecessary risks?
The essence of Francis' important transformation was not risk-taking, but loving and overcoming fear. What mattered most was that he chose to start loving and caring for persons with leprosy, as opposed to having nothing to do with them.
So it should be with us. While being cautious to not spread the deadly virus, we should make a strong effort, through our prayers, involvement and works of charity, to ensure those at-risk of or suffering from the coronavirus are receiving the loving care they need. And we should pray for and be supportive of those on the front lines, who indeed are risking their lives in service, often in the spirit of Saints Francis and Clare.

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Something Franciscan - According to tradition, the Italian poet Dante Alighieri was a third order Franciscan. He was educated in the Franciscan school in the Santa Croce church in Florence, and was buried in a Franciscan church in Ravenna. His daughter became a Franciscan nun. What did he have to say about Francis? This excerpt from the Divine Comedy, Paradiso, Canto XI (Longfellow trans.) conveys a part of what Dante shared. It's a little long, but it takes us from Francis' love of Poverty, through his life, to today's followers of Francis. (notes: Bernard, Giles and Sylvester were among Francis' earliest followers. Peter Bernardone was his earthly father. Innocent and Honorius were popes. An archimandrite is the head of a monastery. "Sultan" refers to Al-Kamil, the Muslim ruler who Francis sought to convert during the Fifth Crusade.)

But that too darkly I may not proceed,
  Francis and Poverty for these two lovers
  Take thou henceforward in my speech diffuse.
Their concord and their joyous semblances,
  The love, the wonder, and the sweet regard,
  They made to be the cause of holy thoughts;
So much so that the venerable Bernard
  First bared his feet, and after so great peace
  Ran, and, in running, thought himself too slow.
O wealth unknown! O veritable good!
  Giles bares his feet, and bares his feet Sylvester
  Behind the bridegroom, so doth please the bride!
Then goes his way that father and that master,
  He and his Lady and that family
  Which now was girding on the humble cord;
Nor cowardice of heart weighed down his brow
  At being son of Peter Bernardone,
  Nor for appearing marvellously scorned;
But regally his hard determination
  To Innocent he opened, and from him
  Received the primal seal upon his Order.
After the people mendicant increased
  Behind this man, whose admirable life
  Better in glory of the heavens were sung,
Incoronated with a second crown
  Was through Honorius by the Eternal Spirit
  The holy purpose of this Archimandrite.
And when he had, through thirst of martyrdom,
  In the proud presence of the Sultan preached
  Christ and the others who came after him,
And, finding for conversion too unripe
  The folk, and not to tarry there in vain,
  Returned to fruit of the Italic grass,
On the rude rock 'twixt Tiber and the Arno
  From Christ did he receive the final seal,
  Which during two whole years his members bore.
When He, who chose him unto so much good,
  Was pleased to draw him up to the reward
  That he had merited by being lowly,
Unto his friars, as to the rightful heirs,
  His most dear Lady did he recommend,
  And bade that they should love her faithfully;
And from her bosom the illustrious soul
  Wished to depart, returning to its realm,
  And for its body wished no other bier.
Think now what man was he, who was a fit
  Companion over the high seas to keep
  The bark of Peter to its proper bearings.
And this man was our Patriarch; hence whoever
  Doth follow him as he commands can see
  That he is laden with good merchandise.

Pax et bonum.