Portiuncula & San Damiano-Assisi Chapels Rebuilt by St. Francis – Podcast

7 minute podcast by Dr. Italy discussing San Damiano and the Portiuncula, the two chapels rebuilt by St. Francis that still stand in Assisi, his home town.  To be visited on his upcoming pilgrimage to Italy.

Many of heard of St. Francis and some even have a statue of him in their garden with a bird perched on his shoulder.

Saint Francis of Assisi view of valley tower Mount Subasio

Image of the Rocca Maggiore fortress overlooking Assisi from Mount Subasio by Marcellino D’Ambrosio. All rights reserved.

But few know that his hometown, Assisi, is a natural garden spot in its own right, or that it received a special blessing from St. Francis on the eve of its death that makes it a very special place of serene beauty and contemplation.

 

Saint St Francis Assisi st. clare claire san damiano chapel courtyard cloister catholic pilgrimage

Image of San Damiano Chapel by Marcellino D’Ambrosio. All rights reserved.

Image of the San Damiano cloister courtyard by Marcellino D’Ambrosio. All rights reserved.

Image of the façade of the Portiuncula Our Lady of the Angels chapel by Alekjds. CC 4.0.

This podcast introduces this magical medieval town and talks about the two ruined chapels rebuilt by St. Francis and his companions.  One, the famous San Damiano, is where Francis first heard Jesus speak to him from the crucifix saying “Francis, rebuild my church.”  It became the home of St. Clare and her sisters.

Saint Francis of Assisi sunset rooftops magical medieval town

Image of Assisi Rooftops at sunset, overlooking the Spoleto Valley, by Marcellino D’Ambrosio. All rights reserved.

Spoleto Valley from San Damiano Assisi

Image of Spoleto Valley viewed from San Damiano, by Marcellino D’Ambrosio. All rights reserved.

The other, the “little portion” or Portiuncula of Our Lady of the Angels, was the cradle of the Franciscan order and the place where Francis died.

These and more famous Franciscan sites will be visited on our upcoming pilgrimage to Italy.

For a podcast over Saint Francis’ secret Assisi hermitage, click here.

For a podcast over the Assisi’s bacilicas, click here.

Dr. Italy appears weekly on the Sonrise Morning show, a production of Sacred Heart Radio.  You can listen to this show broadcast live Monday through Friday via the EWTN Global Catholic Radio, a network of over 120 local affiliate stations in the US.  You can find podcasts from the Sonrise Morning on both Sacred Heart radio site and www.crossroadsinitiative.com.

To subscribe to Dr. Italy’s weekly podcast and never miss an episode, visit http://crossroadsinitiative.libsyn.com/ or visit Catholic Heritage with Dr Italy on Apple Podcast.

Banner/featured image from frescos of The Life of Saint Francis of Assisi by Giotto di Bondone.  Christ speaks to St. Francis from the San Damiano Cross.   Public domain.

1 Comment
  • Susan Weissner
    Posted at 08:21h, 24 April

    Having been to Assisi 3 times, I can sincerely say that it is the most sacred place that i’ve ever been to no comparisons. It feels like a place that has been truly blessed. And when you are there, Enjoy a meal at the fabulous La Locanda del Cardinale.

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