The train journey was very pleasant, but I tried not to think that these two hours of travel will take me quite a bit longer to make my way back to Rome - definitely feels like quite a long way!
Having arrived and taken the tourist shot of Assisi in the distance, feeling quite pleased to have used my somewhat limited Italian to purchase a bus ticket, I caught the bus from the station to the town of Assisi where I had a short walk to my hotel where I dropped my luggage off. Very thankful that from now on my luggage will be having its own journey from place to place whilst I walk.
Joyfully suitcase-free I set off to explore but began by grabbing a cappuccino and panini at a nearby cafe to shelter from the rain that began falling as I got off the bus!
Following a guide book I then set off to explore the beautiful historical town.
Chiesa Nuova was my first stop - a 17th century church built over the property where Francis would have grown up with a statue of his parents in front.
On the wall by the church were these words:
"Brother, sister, I was waiting for you.
Welcome to the house where I was first born and where I lived the first 24 years of my life: the parties with friends and the dreams of glory; the encounter with the Lord and the journey of conversion to Him; the prison already experienced in Perugia and then here in my house, the conflict with my father and finally the exit from here.
God was calling me to repair His house in me, and then the Church of His.
Son, it was better for me to obey God than obey my father, Pietro.
Brother, sister, become a pilgrim of my earthly home, but walk towards the house of God within you, towards His home, heaven.
Get up and walk.
I accompany you with the testimony of my life, I support your steps with prayer.
Walk. I'll wait for you. God bless you.
Francis of Assisi, your brother."
Found these words made me emotional again, like this morning's recollection of my Mum. Tomorrow I get up and walk which I am looking forward to now because every step will bring me closer to Rome and my final destination.
But having read this and paused to reflect, my walk around the town continued with a visit to San Francesco Piccolo, a tiny chapel where I was encouraged to reflect on Francis' joy in a life of total poverty.
Moving on I then climbed the steep roads to the San Rufino Cathedral where Francis was baptised.
And then made my way to the Basilica of St Clare who was one of the first followers of St Francis having been inspired by his teachings.
Then finally I made my way to the Basilica of St Francis where his body lies interred in the crypt. Before exploring the church I went to the Statio Peregrinorum (Pilgrim Office) and got my pilgrim passport stamped with its first stamp!
Then I headed inside the basilica. If I'm honest I didn't find the constant "shhh-ing" nor the flamboyant decoration very comfortable. I'm not sure why such silence was perceived to be necessary. And the decoration seemed to fly in the face of Francis' declaration of poverty and simplicity. Photos weren't allowed so I can't share any images, but I duly went down to the tomb, but more to say I'd been there as a starting point than any need to venerate this man the way others there were. For me, Francis was just an ordinary man that God used to impact many. I wonder in our ordinariness are we willing for God to use us to impact many?
These past few days have been rich and
I already have much to reflect on as I begin my pilgrimage walk tomorrow. I am so thankful for this precious time and space.