Hello from Assisi!
The first stop on our pilgrimage to the sites of Saint Francis and Clare is the birthplace of Saint Francis.
Francis, born in in 1181, lived a rather charmed life due to his father Pietro’s successful business as a silk merchant. In fact, Francis’ mother Pica, had her son baptized when Pietro was away on business in France. She named him Giovanni. But when Pietro returned home enamored of all things French, he decided his son’s name would be Francis. And Francis grew up spending lavishly on fashionable clothes and fine food with his friends. His father paid no mind to his son’s extravagance until, after Francis’ conversion, when he started giving money to the poor and selling his father’s silk to make money for dilapidated churches.
Pietro eventually became so furious with Francis that he would lock his son in chains in a small room at home whenever Pietro went on a business trip to prevent Francis from spending foolishly and giving away silk. Pica, his compassionate mother, would free him after Pietro was gone.
Things eventually came to a head when Pietro took Francis to the bishop of Assisi, demanding that the bishop force Francis to pay back his father what he owed him. Francis, right there in front of his father and the bishop, and the sizable crowd that had gathered, stripped himself completely and declared, “Here are your possessions. I have only one Father, my Father in heaven.” This happened at the Santuario della Spogliazione, the Shrine of the Renunciation, which is our second pilgrimage stop.
How dramatic! (Francis had something of a flare for drama.) Yet, his actions leave us all with thoughts for reflection:
- What are the chains that bind us? What are the fears, shame, wounds, habits that keep us enslaved, that inhibit our true freedom as sons and daughters of God? What can we do to become free? Who are our helpers, our aids, our Picas?
- What do I need to renounce? What needs to be stripped from my mind, my heart so that I can grow in deeper relationship with my Father in heaven—so that all my other relationships are rooted in authentic love?
Til next time, when we reflect on the amazing little chapel of San Damiano.
Pace e bene (“Peace and every good.” This was Francis’ greeting to all.)
Father Liam