Asissi

Hello everyone!

I am having trouble putting up pictures from the Asissi trip but will have them up later in the day. I think it is the computer I am at right now that is the problem. No worries.

It was by far the hottest day since I have been here. I don't think I have ever felt such intense, dry heat before nor have I sweat so much. Yuck. The train that we took there and back was quintessential Italy---hot and late. Having traveled on several different trains in different countries I always forget how time is not on the top of the priority list for the Italian culture. Things will happen eventually, right!? Umm...no. Not when it is 95 degrees and the air conditioning in your cabin car is not working! :) What was planned to be a 2:30 train ride turned into a 4 hour ride. It was worth it though--I will chalk it up as a cultural experience.

Asissi was amazing.

As many of you know it was the city where St. Francis spent most of his life and founded the Franciscan order of the monks. The story goes that a holy cross in a church spoke to St. Francis and told him to 'build the church.' He took this literally and built the largest church in Asissi--a really incredible building. However, what he finally realized it meant was to rebuild the church and make it stronger after all of the corruption it had been facing.

St. Francis gave up worldly goods (he came from a very wealthy family) and was believed to be able to talk to animals. He thought that animals, like humans, have a soul and the ability to comprehend gods words and grace. He would actually preach to the birds.

We also saw St. Claire (literally--her body is preserved) as well as her hair she cut off herself early in her life. It was quite eerie, though incredibly inspirational knowing a female took on such a powerful role in a religious world dominated by the male.

Finally, we saw where St. Francis was buried. It is interesting to look at the situation from an outside perspective. People from all over the world flock to the site of his burial and place images of sick family members in his grave site. The room is so peaceful and very indicative of the life St. Francis lead. He is surrounded by the four other priests who helped him found the order of the Franciscan monks--all of who, I believe, accompanied him to Rome to petition the pope.

Ok. That was a lot. Let me know what you think. Blogspot.com created this awful new system where you have to register to leave a comment. I apologize. However, I am always open to receiving e-mails. Not desperate, I just like em' :) LaCasseA@seattleu.edu

Ok. Love you all.