Assisi IV

Some of the other places we visited in Assisi were the Temple of Minerva (a 1st century Roman temple that was transformed into the Church of St. Mary); the Chiesa Nuova (The New Church) built on the site of St. Francis boyhood home (the New Church features the boyhood room where Francis was locked up by his father for giving away family finances to the poor); and several city squares and fountains that have existed since the days of St. Francis and factored in to events that happened in his life.  In the afternoon we arrived at the Basilica de Santa Chiara (Basilica of St. Clare) which was built in 1257.  St. Clare is buried in this church.  The church also features the Chapel of the Crucifix which contains the actual Crucifix Icon which deeply moved St. Francis.  This Crucifix was originally in the Church of San Damiano where Francis prayed long and hard for God to speak to him about the calling of God upon his life.  While praying and meditating before this Crucifix, which is nearly life size, St. Francis heard from God specific instructions about his life's calling (more on this later).  I spent a lot of time in the Chapel of the Crucifix praying and meditating on the prayer that St. Francis diligently prayed 800 years ago before God dramatically answered him.  Here is the "Prayer of St. Francis before Crucifix in San Damiano."

All - highest, glorious God, cast your light into the darkness of my heart. Give me true faith, firm hope, perfect charity and profound humility with wisdom and perception, o Lord, so that I may do what is truly your holy will. Amen.