In this week's chapter of the 'Little Flowers of Saint Francis', we read about how a much considered dinner engagement between Francis and Clare became a great spiritual feast where God's all-powerful love inflamed the hearts of the saints, their companions, and the people of Assisi and beyond. Saint Francis, pray for us! Saint Clare, pray for us! Our Lady of Angels, pray for us!
The Little Flowers of Saint Francis
Chapter XIV: A Spiritual Feast at the Porziuncola
When Saint Francis was living in Assisi, he sometimes visited Saint Clare in order to give her advice and instruction. Clare had a great wish to eat a meal with Francis and she often prayed for this privilege. However, Francis would not accept her invitation. When the brothers heard that Clare wished to eat with him, they said: "Father Francis, your refusal does not seem consistent with holy charity. Clare is a virgin, which is very pleasing to God. She left the world because of your preaching. Eating with her seems like such a small favor to grant. Indeed, if she asked for a greater favor, you should grant it out of charity." Francis responded: "Do you believe that I should consent and eat with her?" The brothers answered: "Yes, you should grant this favor and consolation." Francis said: "Since it seems so to you, then it seems so to me. But so that she may be more consoled, I will ask her to eat with me at the Porziuncola because she has been cloistered for such a long time at San Damiano. She will be joyful to visit here, where she became the spouse of Jesus Christ. So, we will eat here in the name of God!"
When the appointed day arrived, Saint Clare and a companion left the convent and walked along with some of the brothers to the Porziuncola. Upon their arrival, they bowed devoutly before the altar where Clare's hair had been cut and where she had received her veil. After they prayed, Clare and her companion were taken into the house where they would eat their meal. Meanwhile, Saint Francis prepared the dinner on the bare ground according to his custom. When the dinner hour arrived, they seated themselves together on the humble earth. After they began to eat, Francis began to speak about God in a way so sweet, so admirable, and so sublime that an abundant grace came upon them and they were filled with God's great love.
As they were ravished by God's grace, they raised their eyes and hands toward heaven. In Assisi and throughout the countryside, the people saw that the Porziuncola and surrounding wood burned brightly as if consumed by flames. The people rushed to extinguish the fire, but they soon discovered Saint Francis, Saint Clare, and their companions seated upon the ground in joyful contemplation. The people knew that they had seen a miracle. God had ignited these miraculous flames to represent the divine love that inflamed the hearts and souls of these holy brothers and sisters. So, the people departed with great consolation and joy.
After a long period of prayer, Saint Francis, Saint Clare, and their followers returned to themselves. They were filled with spiritual nourishment as if they had filled their bodies with a great meal. After this spiritual feast ended, Saint Clare and her companion were escorted back to San Damiano. Upon their return, all the sisters rejoiced over God's great love and consolation. Amen!
Our Prayers
For our families & friends, we pray: Hail Mary...
For our parish communities, we pray: Hail Mary...
For our Holy Father, Pope Francis, we pray: Hail Mary...
For our Pope-Emeritus, Benedict XVI, we pray: Hail Mary...
For our departed brothers & sisters in faith, we pray: Hail Mary...
For the Catholic Church throughout the world, we pray: Hail Mary...
For peace & justice throughout the whole world, we pray: Hail Mary...
Our Father...
Almighty God and Father,
protect your family with your constant love,
because through your grace we place all of our hope.
We make this prayer through Christ Jesus, our Lord.
Amen.
Saint Francis, pray for us!
Saint Clare, pray for us!
Our Lady of Angels, pray for us!
Holy Men & Women of Assisi, pray for us!
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NEW!
SEVENTH ANNUAL FALL PILGRIMAGE
FOOTSTEPS of SAINT FRANCIS of ASSISI
Rome | Assisi | Greccio | October 31-November 8, 2014
For the seventh consecutive year, the Assisi Project is sponsoring a week-long, small-group pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome, Italy from October 31st through November 8th. Last year, a nearly sold-out group of sixteen pilgrims (ranging in age from 14 to 88 years) from the United States and Canada literally walked in the footsteps of Saint Francis and Saint Clare.
This year, we will journey back to these holy pilgrimage sites. Each morning, we will begin with Morning Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours and Mass. Masses will be celebrated at the Church of San Damiano, the Carceri, the Porziuncola, and the Basilica of Saint Francis. Each afternoon, all pilgrims will be afforded the free time and guidance to explore the medieval city of Assisi at their own pace and to visit the countless churches, cafes, museums, and shops. Each evening, we will gather for Evening Prayer, followed by a conference and faith sharing.
As a fellowship of pilgrims, we will visit the historic Basilicas of Saint Francis and Saint Clare. Each of the these great basilicas contains the tombs of the saints, holy relics, and priceless works of art. But these baslicas are also pilgrimage sites for prayer, silent meditation, and worship. We will visit the Basilica of Saint Rufino, where Saint francis and Saint Clare were baptized. We will visit the Church of Saint Damian, where the famous crucifix spoke to Francis and hastened his conversion. And we will visit the little chapel known as the Porziuncola, which is considered the home church of the worldwide Franciscan community.
In addition, we will spend leisurely afternoons in and around the Piazza de Commune, Assisi's city center, with its ancient Roman temple (now a Catholic church), sidewalkk cafes, restaurants, and shops. The more adventurous will also have an opportunity to hike to the Rocca Maggiore, the great medieval fortress with its stunning views of Assisis, the Spoleto Valley, and Mount Subasio.
Finally, we will travel to Rome for visits to Vatican City and Saint Peter's Basilica, where we will celebrate Mass and hopefully see and hear Pope Francis deliver the Sunday Angelus Address. We will also visit the Carceri (or hermitage) on Mount Subasio, where Saint Francis and his first followers retreated for prayer and contemplation. And we will offer an optional excursion to Greccio, the little village near Assisi, where Saint Francis introduced the first Christmas creche.
The cost of this extraordinary pilgrimage and retreat is just $3,099 and includes all air and ground transportation (from Boston's Logan Airport only), guest house accommodations (single room) at the Convent of Saint Bridget of Sweden in Assisi, and hotel accommodations (double room; singe room option) at the historic Columbus Hotel (near Vatican City) in Rome. All meals are included. This price does not include recommended travel insurance (approximately $250) or transportation to Greccio (optional excursion). These prices are effective only until May 31, 2014. For more information about this pilgrimage or about any of our upcoming events, please contact Cliff Garvey at assisiproject@ymail.com. Please join us! Space is limited! May the Lord give you peace!
