Assisi
The place of St Francis
It is just the start of our pilgrimage, but already we are transitioning from tourists to pilgrims. on our first night in Rome, Fr Michael encourage us to be people who can ‘be' as well as do. Yesterday we did A LOT, today we are trying to BE. As much as my body hurts and aches after all the doing yesterday, the being is more challenging. In our lives busyness is worn like a badge of honour. Reflecting, praying and contemplating are not things that are outwardly rewarded. However, it rang true for me when Fr Michael said that we need to get the being right before we can perfect the doing. As we begin our time in Assisi we have celebrated mass in a beautiful, simple chapel and gazed upon the Porziuncola, the place that inspired St Francis to take up his vocation. We have been encouraged to stop and listen for what this holy place is saying to us and to truly transition into pilgrims.
Step away from the smart phones 😉
As we made our way into this beautiful basilica we passed through another set of security with me fresh faced soldiers, this time with guns. I’m perplexed. How is it in this place of peace that violence and threats occur. After having my bag inspected, I heard about a terrible incident in Germany from our Tour Director. We are pilgrims, living in a bit of a bubble. I wonder what creates this hatred in our world. As I sat, gazing at the Porziuncola I prayed for peace.
The place of St Francis
It is just the start of our pilgrimage, but already we are transitioning from tourists to pilgrims. on our first night in Rome, Fr Michael encourage us to be people who can ‘be' as well as do. Yesterday we did A LOT, today we are trying to BE. As much as my body hurts and aches after all the doing yesterday, the being is more challenging. In our lives busyness is worn like a badge of honour. Reflecting, praying and contemplating are not things that are outwardly rewarded. However, it rang true for me when Fr Michael said that we need to get the being right before we can perfect the doing. As we begin our time in Assisi we have celebrated mass in a beautiful, simple chapel and gazed upon the Porziuncola, the place that inspired St Francis to take up his vocation. We have been encouraged to stop and listen for what this holy place is saying to us and to truly transition into pilgrims.
Step away from the smart phones 😉
As we made our way into this beautiful basilica we passed through another set of security with me fresh faced soldiers, this time with guns. I’m perplexed. How is it in this place of peace that violence and threats occur. After having my bag inspected, I heard about a terrible incident in Germany from our Tour Director. We are pilgrims, living in a bit of a bubble. I wonder what creates this hatred in our world. As I sat, gazing at the Porziuncola I prayed for peace.