As the Easter Season continues, we pray with another excerpt from the 'Lauds' by Jacopone of Todi (1230-1306). In addition to being venerated as a "blessed" by the worldwide Franciscan community, Jacopane has also been regarded over the centuries as a masterful poet, preacher, and writer. Indeed, Dante Alighieri, author of the 'Divine Comedy', showered him with praise in the 'Paradiso.' Blessed Jacopane of Todi, pray for us! Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us! Saint Clare of Assisi, pray for us! Our Lady of Angels, pray for us!
A Reading from the Lauds by Jacopone of Todi | Part II
What I hear points only to you, Lord;
I cannot escape the Lord's love through any measure.
If I come out through taste, every flavor proclaims:
'Love, divine, love, hungering love!
You have caught me on your hook,
for you want to reign within me.'
If I leave through the door of the sense, I still sense you in all creation.
You have caught me and wounded me through that holy fragrance.
If I come through the sense of touch,
I find your balm in every creature.
To attempt an escape from you is madness.
As air becomes the medium for light when the sun rises,
and as wax melts from the heat of fire,
so the soul drawn to that light is glorified;
its will and actions no longer its own.
So clear is the imprint of God
that the soul, conquered, is conqueror;
annihilated, it lives in triumph.
What happens to the drop of wine that you pour into the sea?
Does it remain itself unchanged?
No, it is as if it never existed.
So it is with the soul: Love drinks it in,
it is united with truth, it is no longer master of itself,
its old nature fades away.
The soul wills and yet does not will:
its will belongs to God.
It has eyes only for God's beauty.
It no longer seeks to possess,
because it lacks the strength to possess the divine sweetness.
The base of this highest of peaks is founded on nothing.
Shaped from nothingness, it is made one with the Lord.
Amen! Amen! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Our Prayers
Almighty God and Father,
during this Easter season,
we pray that you will you renew our faith,
so that we may truly understand
the waters in which we were cleansed,
the Spirit by which we were reborn,
and the blood by which we were redeemed.
We make this prayer through Christ Jesus, Our Lord.
Amen.
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 departed brothers & sisters, we pray: Hail Mary...
For our Pope-Emeritus, Benedict XVI, we pray: Hail Mary...
For the Catholic Church throughout the world, we pray: Hail Mary...
Our Father...
Saint Francis, pray for us!
Saint Clare, pray for us!
All Saints of Assisi, pray for us!
Our Lady of the Angels, pray for us!
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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!
