Vicenzo

Sunday May 2nd was our last day at Vicenzo. We assisted at Mass at Camp Darby before heading off to Multipulciano in search of a couple of bottles of the areas excellent wines.  The fresh Pecorino cheese was also excellent.

As we drove between the different mountain towns of Italy, one of the sources of entertainment was our Garmin GPS, which announced turn-by-turn directions to us in a British accent.  Here is an example of the GPS giving us directions for a turn on our way up to Multipulciano.  Some of the long Italian names spoken by an upper-class Brit were really hilarious.



We next drove south to spend a couple of days in Assisi.  We found lodgings in a convent in the old city just a short walk to the Basilica di San Francisco.  The convent was humble but elegant and the Sisters were a delight.

Fr. Voigt celebrated Mass in their old grotto chapel and Dr. D'Amico translated Father's sermon into Italian for the Sisters and a few other guests.  Dr. D'Amico not only did most of the driving and tour guiding, but he also translated sermons.

Seeing the Basilica here in Assisi and throughout Italy is a bittersweet experience.  The sweetness comes from the beauty and grandeur of these churches where countless artists have created an atmosphere that lifts one's attention and spirit up to a heavenly level with beauty beyond description.  The immediate reaction for most Catholics would be to find the glowing sanctuary light indicating the presence of the Blessed Sacrament and kneel
in prayer. The bitter part is that most of these great houses of worship have been turned into museums and the treasured side altars and tabernacles bare of the great treasure that Christ left for us in His True Presence. Often, after much searching, one may find the Blessed Sacrament in the farthest corner of the church while the grand main altar is roped off and relegated as an article to be observed like some fine art gallery.

Ancient relics of the crown of thorns and the bones of the Apostles are kept n display cases in the Basilica basement instead of adorning the bare altars as they once did.

Every once in a while, a particular item catches the eye and gives pause.  For me, it was this crucifix in the lower Basilica beneath the tomb of St. Francis.  It depicts Christ's passion as testified by the evidence on the Shroud of Turin and needs no further description by me.

Finally, Fr. Voigt offered Mass at the tomb of St. Francis of Assisi.  Unfortunately, the picture came out blurry but the experience was humbling and could not be captured by a single photo.