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Assisi

Location: Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli

Because we are instruments of God, we are called to walk through life as pilgrims of hope, faith, and love. This awareness accompanied me on our journey to Assisi, the beloved town of Saint Francis.

Upon our arrival, we went to the retreat house where our silent retreat will take place. This time of silence and prayer will give us the grace to place all that we have received along the pilgrimage at the feet of the Lord – our experiences, emotions, and inner movements. From there, we proceeded to the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli (St. Mary of the Angels) for our daily Mass. I was immediately struck by its beauty and noble simplicity, which gently draws the soul toward prayer.

Interior of the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli.

I felt deeply blessed to be in such a holy place, especially while witnessing the devotion of those who entered the Porziuncola. This tiny chapel, the spiritual heart of Saint Francis’s legacy, speaks powerfully of poverty, mercy, and God’s forgiveness. Preserved within the grandeur of the basilica, it reminds us how we are in God, under his protection and care. Inside the basilica, we also visited the place where Saint Francis died, a space filled with peace and reverence, where kneeling in prayer was a natural and necessary reaction. Another place I loved was Saint Francis’s rose garden. There, St. Francis rolled in thorns to overcome temptation, transforming them into roses. What makes these roses very special is that they are said to only grow thornless within this sacred garden; if planted elsewhere, their thorns return.

The place of St. Francis’s death, inside the Basilica.

The summit of the day was the celebration of the Mass. In the presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, we were reminded of the importance of always trusting in God’s providence. He knows our hearts and our deepest needs, and His plan for us is always greater than our own. Trusting Him, as Saint Lucy did, is the surest path on this pilgrimage we call life.

Our daily Mass, celebrating St. Lucy.

With renewed confidence, we continue our journey as pilgrims of hope in Assisi, rejoicing in God for the witness of Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Lucy, and entrusting ourselves entirely to His loving care. Once again, we express our gratitude and offer our prayers for our generous donors, who made this experience possible.

-Jonathan Brieva, Diocese of El Paso, TX 

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