Assisi: Basilica Di San Francesco, Basilica Di Santa Chiara

According to G. K. Chesterton, "Saint Francis walked the world like the Pardon of God. I mean that his appearance marked the moment when men could be reconciled not only to God but to nature and, most difficult of all, to themselves in short, the coming of Saint Francis was like the birth of a child in a dark house, lifting its doom; a child that grows up unconscious of the tragedy in the house, and triumphs over it by his innocence...It was such an amnesty and reconciliation that the freshness of the Franciscan spirit brought to all the world".

Saint Francis of Assisi (1182-1226) embodies in so many ways what it means to be a follower of our Lord Jesus, that this morning, upon entering the basilica dedicated to him, I could not help but be overwhelmed with emotion, especially joy. I actually wanted to cry, but for whatever reason, could not.

Assisi was canonized a short two years after his death, and not long after that, the basilica was built. Essentially, it is composed of two churches superimposed (built) on top of each other, with a crypt containing his body underlying the whole structure. According to the Assisi - Franciscan Itinerary booklet, "The handsomely designed exterior is majestic, and the interior magnificent, rich in frescoes done by the most celebrated masters of the 13th and 14th century" (page 42).

Aside from the amazing frescoes dominating the walls of the upper and lower basilica, the most beautiful moment of my visit was in the quietness of the crypt, where many others too had gathered in order to meet God in prayer. And meet God in prayer I did. Thank you Lord.

Finally, the relics room in the lower basilica was also very interesting, as it contained a habit, a hood, footwear, and various original handwritten scripts of Saint Francis.

Birdseye view of Basilica di San Francesco:















Front view of the basilica:















Franciscan Convent behind the basilica:















Cub at the basilica:















After such a beautiful morning, it was perhaps a little difficult to do anything else for the rest of the day, for I knew that whatever else I did on this day, it would not surpass my beautiful moments with God in prayer at the Basilica di San Francesco.

But knowing how limited my time was in this small town, I just had to move on and see the basilica built in honour of Santa Chiara, San Francesco's dearerst friend. In fact, the two loved each other, but decided not to marry, fearing that their love for each other would come between their love for God. So instead, they worked together side by side, Francesco forming the Franciscan Order of Mendicant (Wandering) Preachers, and Chiara (Clare) forming the Poor Clares.

Such was the holiness of Santa Chiara, that "When she came from prayer, her faced looked brighter and more beautiful than the sun, and her manner of speaking was of such inexpressible sweetness that her life seemed to be wholly of Heaven." Assisi - Franciscan Itinerary, page 26).

Birdseye view of Basilica di Santa Chiara (right hand):















Front view of Basilica di Santa Chiara















Flying butresses of Basilica di Santa Chiara:

Unlike the colourful interior of the Basilica di San Francesco, the Basilica di Santa Chiara has a surprisingly solemn character, with bare walls. Only the presbitery and the transept of the church has the biblical story in pictures.

There is also a byzantine crucifix located at the altar. This is the cross Staint Francis was praying before, when Jesus appeared to him and said "repair my house; as you see it is falling in ruins." This would be the experience that altered the course of his life, as it provided the impetus towards service and ministry in the name of Jesus.

Finally, these noteworthy items: a beautiful painting that tells the story of Santa Chiara, and a tomb containing her body, both situated in the crypt under the basilica.