Sojourners in Austria: In the footsteps of St. Francis and St. Clare.

After a bit of a hiatus, I'm back with pictures and updates! The last weeks of school went quickly; tough with us both taking finals and writing papers, but with God's grace, I think we did well. Elizabeth came out to help for a few days, which was wonderful. The choir sang magnificently for graduation, and worked very hard in the days leading up to it to prepare well. The ITI then hosted all students and guests to a delightful alfresco dinner that evening at a local restaurant. I hope to share some pictures from it soon. A few days after graduation, we packed up and took the night train to Italy, where Andrew was to assist at a two-week theology seminar. We were very blessed to have time to stop off in Assisi first, and enjoy the town and visit the places associated with Saints Francis and Clare.

The overnight train worked quite well for our little family - we are fortunate to be given our own compartment, the boys slept like logs, and it was nice to enjoy the Tuscan and Umbrian countryside by early morning light. Do not be alarmed; this is not where Dominic slept. :)

After a line change, we arrived in Assisi and were glad to stretch our legs. We first visited the Basilica of Santa Maria Degli Angeli which was built around the Porziuncola Chapel where Francis lived after he founded the Franciscan order and also where St. Clare took her vows. A small hut adjacent to the chapel is also housed here; the hut where St. Francis died. (Photos are not allowed in any of the famous churches in Assisi, so I am relying on some Internet pictures.)

Then we took a bus up the hill to old town Assisi and arrived in time to catch the sunset view. The next few days were spent exploring this beautiful Umbrian hill town, and visiting the important locations of Sts. Francis and Clare.

Michael's favorite overlook happened to be from Piazza Chiara and our hotel was right off from it. We stopped here every night to watch the sun set, eat our dinner, chase pigeons, and soak it all up.

Cathedral of San Rufino.

Michael enjoyed all the motorcycles and vespas.

Outside the room where St. Francis was born.

The Chiesa Nuova church is built over part of Francis' childhood home.

Francis' parents.

The original door into the Bernardone home. We found it fitting that a bird had built her nest there in the corner.

The cell in which Francis' father locked him when he revealed his call to serve God.

Located in the main square is a 1st century temple of Minerva, which was converted into a Christian church in the 9th century.

Papa and his boys on Father's Day.

Just love the old old religious frescoes that can be see throughout the city.

We took many walks throughout this town, exploring all the alleys and viewpoints.

The Basilica di San Francesco.

In the cloister.

We attended Mass at one of the altars down in the lower church. The ceiling frescoes are amazing!

The tomb of St. Francis.

The upper Basilica is covered with frescoes by Giotto depicting St. Francis' life happenings. We enjoyed walking through and naming each picture/event. Again, no pictures allowed in these churches, so I am relaying on GoHistoric and pictures I took of purchased postcards. :)

One morning we hiked up to the 14th century castle above the town, Rocca Maggiore. Michael walked all the way by himself!

The views were quite lovely.

This was really a highlight for Michael and he loved running around the castle grounds.

Michael is a boundless package of energy and climbed up TWO turrets' winding staircases to the top.

Upon reaching the top he kept saying, "We did it!"

Inside the main rooms, there was a nice little exhibit. Michael was wary of the mannequins.

We enjoyed some limone granitas after our hike, a crushed flavored ice; lemon, in this case.

Time for some brotherly affection.

Fococcia pizza dinner in Piazza Chiara.

And we found a little place with the cheapest, and yet most delicious calzones ever!

A new puppet toy.

Every evening we took a passeggiata, or evening stroll. We really made it a point to parallel our days with the Italian lifestyle - you surely didn't hear one peep of protest at the 2-3 hour siestas from this Mama and Papa! We all enjoyed family naps at that time....ahhh.

Assisi is drenched in the scent of honeysuckle!

Michael had fun watching local soccer games.

Basilica Santa Chiara. Our little hotel was to the immediate left. We awoke to the sound of its bells every morning and listened to the sisters chanting Vespers on one occasion. Such a peaceful, joyful place...I almost wanted to jump through the cloister grate! ;)

The famous crucifix from the Church of San Damiano now hangs in the side chapel. This is the crucifix that spoke to Francis directing him to rebuild the Church. A-mazing! We attended Sunday Mass in this room, accompanied by the angelic voices of the cloistered Franciscan sisters.

After Mass, we went down to the crypt to pray at St. Clare's tomb.

Sunday afternoon, our last day in Assisi, we walked down the hill through olive groves to the Church of San Damiano, and the convent of St. Clare. This was a definite highlight for us. It was very windy with rain threatening all day, but we are so glad we went anyway!

Love this powerful statue of St. Clare.

Choir of St. Clare, preserved as it was with stalls and lecterns of rough cut oak.

Stairway leading up to the oratory of St. Clare.

"The beautiful mother was faithful and prompt in her prayer, laying for long moments on the ground humbly prostrate. And when she returned from her prayer, the sisters rejoiced as if she had come from heaven." Sister Pacifica, canonization process of St. Clare.

Dormitory of St. Clare.

Spot where St. Clare slept and where she died.

The cloister. It was here that St. Clare twice confronted invaders of Assisi with the Blessed Sacrament; they were struck by the force of her prayer and departed.