The St. Francis Hermitage on Mt. Sabatio houses five monks who live there year around. There is art and sculptures in the monastery, and an outdoor ancient altar on a wooded path around the mountain.
The Hermitage had narrow small short openings for doors to help keep it warm in the winter. There was one dining area and sleeping ‘cells’. The pillows were made of wood.
Did you hike down to Assisi ? We could not, because the 1800 feet drop in 3 miles was covered in slick wet limestone rocks. The guides had visited it earlier and said it was slippery and too dangerous. We agreed.
You can climb to the Assisi castle for a view of the town. It was our substitute hike because of the rain.
Walking back to the main center, we visited Chiesa Nuova – St Francis’s presumed birthplace, and St. Ruffino’s church in honor of Saint Ruffino, who first brought the Christian faith to Umbria and visited St. Mary Maggiore for a bit of quiet. So many churches in this town!
The Basilica di Santa Chiara or St. Clare was beautiful, simple, elegant, large and made of pink limestone. It housed precious of relics of St. Clare and St. Francis including their hair and articles of clothing.
St. Clare was one of St. Francis’ earliest followers. St. Clare left a wealthy family and with St. Francis started the Order of Poor Clares. At the age of 18, she heard Francis preach during a Lenten service in the church of San Giorgio at Assisi and asked him to help her to live after the manner of the Gospel. Source: Wikipedia
She doctored St. Francis when he was ill, and she was saved from death by other nuns. There is still a large working order of St. Clare in Assisi.
“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.” Matthew 9:35 NIV
What story of healing do you have in your life? Who or what would you give your life for?