Assisi, Home of St. Francis

Assisi is a small town in central Italy and is best known as the birthplace of St. Francis, patron saint of Italy. There is hardly a saint who is more known and loved by Catholics and non-Catholics alike than St. Francis of Assisi.  His great aim in life was to love God and all of God's creatures. At the age of 19, he abandoned his worldly ambitions and became a mystic who experienced visions of Christ and Mary.
He repudiated the worldliness and hypocrisy of the Catholic church. He was a humble lover of nature and of the simple life. His teachings are well known throughout the modern world. Few prayers are more popular around the world and better loved than the "Peace Prayer of St. Francis". This prayer is not among the authentic writings of St. Francis, but those who knew St. Francis would say that his life certainly reflected these words.

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 receive

It is in pardoning that

we are pardoned;

And it is in dying that

we are born to eternal life.

The Bascilia of St. Francis is the main attraction of Assisi. It is located at the lowest end of town. The life of St. Francis is depicted in the frescoes by Giotto in the upper level. Assisi annually hosts several interesting festivals commemorating St. Francis and life in the Middle Ages. 

The flowering balconies have always been a sight to behold. Only recently did I learn that an annual floral competition is held every June.

We never missed a chance to partake of the tiramisu!