My former bosses, the Archbishop of Seattle, Peter Sartain, and the Archbishop Emeritus of Seattle, Alex Brunett, led a pilgrimage from Seattle to Rome for the canonization, and due to the personal importance of this event, Ryan and I made sure we could join them (it's only a short flight after all!). The morning after our arrival to Rome, we met up with the group for a day trip to Assisi, one of the most spiritual cities I have ever encountered. There is no question in my mind now why Pope John Paul II chose this city for a historic interfaith prayer gathering for world peace back in 2002.
A little background on St. Francis of Assisi. He was born into a noble family. His father was a wealthy cloth merchant and he lived a great life of privilege and pleasure. After having what you would call a life-changing moment, St. Francis prayed to God and had a vision. God asked him to repair my Church which is falling into ruins. He then revoked his father's wealth and gave away all of his worldly possessions, devoting himself to a life of poverty and serving the sick, the dying and those in great need.
When I took in the story of his life, represented in frescos covering the walls of the church and visited his humble grave in the crypt of the Basilica after which he is named, I was overcome by his deep and radical call to the poor. It is said that St. Francis died naked on the ground with no material items around his saying "remember you are dust and from dust you shall return."
I didn't take many pictures in Assisi, maybe because I was caught up in the moment of being a true pilgrim in this city, imagining what St. Francis himself experienced over 700 years ago. I have shared a few postcards. The picturesque landscape filled with timeless buildings, church towers, the olive orchards that sprawl into the valley below, and hope I can paint a picture of the Catholic history, devotion and peace that this place still offers those who enter its city gates.
With violence erupting all over the world - in Syria, Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Israel and many other places - it is more important than ever to become an ambassador of peace. I truly believe that we can transform the world by our own actions. St. Francis was a man who spent his lifetime on earth ushering in understanding and peace. The prayer from my lips is that I, too, Lord can be an instrument of your peace.
Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love,
For it is in giving that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Peace be with you!
 |
| The olive orchards of Assisi |
 |
| Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi |
 |
| St. Clare Basilica |
 |
