It’s nice to know that the small garden statue gifted to us by our friends Jackie and Eddy this past winter is a very close rendering of what Francis actually looked like in his time. We know now that the statues of Francis as an old bearded man just aren’t true! Francis died at the age of 44…
Beyond the face of Francis, we learned more about the rhythm of his converted life – in contemplation and action. It was interesting to learn from our Franciscan Guide, Brother David Liedl, that Francis took the equivalent of three Lents throughout a year for fasting and hermitage practices. One day we experienced the 4km trek up to the Carceri (Francis’ hermitage location above the town of Assisi) and back. This was one of the most beautiful walks of our 10-days.
Looking into the life and icon of St. Clare who cared for the lepers at the edge of her city, we continue to learn more about our call to create sanctuary and support for those living with extended illness and their care partners. Rev. Dr. Margaret Benefiel, our Clare Guide, passionately told Clare’s herstory emphasizing Clare’s rejection of a noble path and class system within the new religious order she founded – which became known as the Poor Clares. This was a conscious stepping-away and social innovation from the Benedictine model of religious order which at the time supported a class system within the monastery, giving preferential housing, roles, treatment and privilege to girls entering with more wealth.
Just a few highlights for now…
Moving forward with a listening heart,
vision, inquiry, and action,
~ Mary