My Pilgrimage to Assisi
The small town of Assisi in Italy has been immortalized by the birth and life of one of the most admired saints of the Catholic Church – St. Francis of Assisi. I could not resist the temptation in responding to the invitation of one of my friend priests who was visiting Assisi for the second time after coming to Rome. More than from the beautiful sunny day (5 Feb. 2011) my mind has been illumined and my spiritual life has been enriched in experiencing the simple but profound life of this extra-ordinary saint.
We started early morning after a light breakfast from the house to catch the train from Circo Massimo (Metro - seven minutes walk from the house) to Termini Central Railway station. The train took more than two hours to Assisi from Termini and the to and fro ticket costs less than twenty euro per passenger. It is a beautiful journey through the country side and I thought that a walking pilgrimage (like ancient times) would be spiritually enriching even though it would be more physically challenging to the present day pilgrim. If I have had the imagination and language of Chauser who wrote about the experience of the pilgrims on their way to Canterbury Cathedral to visit the tomb of St. Thomas a ‘Becket, I could have written an Assisi Tale describing the nature of this pilgrimage.
Every time I tried to capture the beauty of the outside nature with my newly bought camera, the train entered a tunnel. But I remembered the famous saying: “There is always light at the end of the tunnel”. This train journey took us to a place I found beautiful and sublime – Assisi - the city which is the source of light and inspiration for many Christians and non- Christians for centuries. Those who believe that their life through the tunnel never ends should also make a pilgrimage to Assisi to receive the rays of light emanating from St. Francis who reflected the light of Christ through his simple life.
When the Catholic Church is going through an age of re-evangelization I see St. Francis as a man of new evangelization who single handedly tried to “renovate” the Church which was in ruin. His enormous success came not from criticizing the “corrupt” customs of his time but from an earnest desire to restore the social, political and ecclesial structures to a higher realm inspired by the poverty of Christ Crucified. He offered his own shoulders to build up and restore a structure which was tearing itself down. In order to build up God’s Kingdom on earth he used his natural and supernatural charisms which was imprinted on him at his baptism. He related to God but he was attentive to the needs of his fellow human beings. His famous love for animals and nature show that he was attentive to the whole of creation. In his spirituality God, man and nature are harmoniously joined together: “Before Francis, the unity of the divine plan of creation loses the veil that hides it to other mortals. Francis contemplates nature with the stupefied and reverent eyes with the first man saw on that first radiant morning of the world…” (Omer Englebert)
Unlike many Churches in Rome, which are filled with tourists, many of whom have no idea of the spiritual and historical significance of the place, the Churches in Assisi successfully maintain a serene and quite atmosphere inviting the pilgrims to meditate on the mysteries of Christ, St. Francis tried to live. In spite of the grandeur and majesty of great architecture of these Churches, they still offer a simplicity St. Francis so ardently lived. The futility of modern day materialism is exposed by the fruitfulness of Franciscan spirituality which leaves an example to Christians and challenges us greatly than anyone else in this world.
In order to do justice to my readers I believe that a short summary of his life is needed before reflecting on my impression on what I have seen in Assisi….will continue…
