Monks and Minas Tirith

I don't know what I expected when I heard we were going to Assisi--as in St. Francis of Assisi. I think in my mind's eye I saw dry, barren hills with a light sprinkling of caves for men such as Francis to meditate in. What I didn't expect was an ancient walled city, sitting atop the stunning mountains of Umbria. If you've watched The Lord of the Rings, think of Minas Tirith, the city of Gondor. That's Assisi, plus a heaping dose of Catholicism.

(Courtesy of Devon)

A deteriorating ceiling fresco

One of the few remaining Roman pieces still standing in Assisi, the Temple of Minerva was originally a Roman pagan temple. Now, it is the Catholic Church of Minerva.

My guess is that he was restoring the engravings on the doorposts.

Josh being Josh

The first night, I stepped out onto the balcony behind my hotel room and watched the lights flicker on the mountains in the nightscape. I felt peaceful and safe--two feelings I haven't felt in a long time in the busyness of life. I felt like I could stay there forever, conversing with the God who made those mountains.

Assisi is a world in itself. It's a world where you can wander the streets and stop to chat with your neighbors about the simple things in life. It's a world where you can climb to the top of the city to gaze at the stars. It's a world where you can perch on your rooftop and think, or not think, and not be bothered for either. A dose of Assisi would do most of us a world of good.

Students sketching a church in the sun

"Self-serve" is basically cafeteria-style dining, but much nicer.

I'm almost certain I spent the bulk of my budget on coffee and gelato. No, gelato is not just the Italian word for "ice cream," nor is it Italian ice. It's like ice cream, but denser, softer, and just better. Truly.

The first thing most people think of when they hear of Assisi is "St. Francis of Assisi," and rightfully so, because this is where Franciscan order arose. Most people who come to Assisi are, in fact, pilgrims coming to honor the life and work of Francis.

The Basilica of St. Francis, where the body of Francis is buried and the intricate frescos on the walls tell his story.

At the Basilica of St. Francis, we had the most incredible tour guide who was himself a Franciscan of the Third Order. (First Order Franciscans are the friars. The Second Order consists of the Poor Sisters of St. Clare. Third Order Franciscans are regular laypeople who are allowed to marry if they so wish, but are followers of the teachings, life, and example of Francis.) Although I am not Catholic, I am not ashamed to venerate Francis. The man devoted his life to a whole-hearted pursuit of living like Christ, so much so that he was given the Stigmata--open wounds in his hands, feet, and side resembling those of Christ that stayed with him for the rest of his life. Hearing our tour guide so passionately share about St. Francis' life challenged me to the core to doggedly pursue living in a Christlike manner.

St. Francis

Franciscan monks and nuns "fraternizing," as Devon put it. haha.

The view from outside the Basilica

The team

Not sure who he was, but this monk(?) or beggar (?) stopped to talk to Bev and Steph.

While we were in Assisi, we also had the chance to hike to a fort on the top of a mountain, where we could look down and see the city and everything beyond.

Lexi--a pro photographer...and model, apparently ;)

Ed, looking out over the fort walls at the endless horizon of mountains

Elisabeth, our beautiful, courageous Italian leader, who was ALWAYS cheerful, even amidst canceled flights, late nights, and constant changes to the itinerary.

I think what hit me the most while I was in Assisi was my need to simplify my life and re-prioritize. Here I was, in one of the most beautiful places on earth I have ever been, surrounded by the legacy of a man who devoted himself to the service of God and others. Yet, as much as I wanted to take a few hours to think, pray, and soak in the beauty all around me, I was too busy with other deadlines and responsibilities to even do that. What happened to peace? What happened to rest? What happened to quiet? I had lost it, and I needed it back. Since Assisi, the beauty that I found in that town has remained imprinted in my mind as a reminder everyday to set the busyness of life aside and keep my priorities in line.