Theme
Clare’s long return and integration. The modern Franciscan Tradition. Assisi under the Nazis. Fr. Louie Vitale, OFM. Sr. Klaryta Antoszewska, OSF. Pope Francis. Our return, integration, and next steps.
Sites
The Basilica of Saint Clare. The Museum of Memory.
SESSION 6
Welcome to our final session, where we mark the seventh and eighth stage of this pilgrimage: The Return and the Integration.
We do this by making our farewells to Francis and Clare by visiting their resting places in the basilicas created to honor them.
We also reflect on modern examples of the Franciscan spirit, as expressed in Assisi’s Museum of Memory that documents the systematic effort to save the lives of hundreds of Jews during World War II; the life of Franciscan sister Klaryta Antoszewzka, OSF; and the journey of Franciscan Friar Louie Vitale, OFM.
PRAYER
The Prayer before the Crucifix (1205/06)
Source: Editors, Francis of Assisi: Early Documents, vol. 1, 40
“While Thomas of Celano and Saint Bonaventure characterize the early years of Francis's life as a struggle to discern God's will, the author of The Legend of the Three Companions, according to two manuscripts, summarizes Francis's yearnings in this simple prayer and places it on his lips as he kneels before the Crucifix of the crumbling church of San Damiano in Assisi…”
Most High,
glorious God,
enlighten the darkness of my heart
and give me
true faith,
certain hope,
and perfect charity,
sense and knowledge,
Lord,
that I may carry out
Your holy and true command.
Readings
A Lion for Justice: Klaryta Antoszewzka
Love is What Matters: Essential Writings of Louie Vitale
ANNOUNCEMENT
On November 12, 2021 Pope Francis will travel to Assisi to mark the World Day of the Poor by listening to and praying with the poor from across Europe. You can learn more about this journey to the town of Il Poverello and this gathering at Santa Maria degli Angeli here and here.
The Zoom link being used for every session is:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82948329997?pwd=NXZkUGJWOGJLMU5wcjFTeVh4eFU3UT09
Meeting ID: 829 4832 9997
Passcode: 015625
