Category Archives: Saint Francis of Assisi

May 24, 2013 · 11:21 am

Assisi is a UNESCO Site in Umbria Italy

: Image by S Moses via Flickr

The town of Assisi in Umbria is a fascinating place to view Franciscan sites in the Perugia region of Umbria. Assisi is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Italy.

St. Francis of Assisi (circa 1182-1220) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Assisi is the birth and burial place of St. Francis, founder of the Franciscan order. The Franciscans take the vow of poverty. St. Francis and St. Catherine are the patron saints of Italy. Assisi is located at the foot of Mount Subasio. This medieval city is built on a hill. It is closely associated with disseminating the work of the Franciscan Order throughout the world; the universal message of peace and tolerance.

“Its medieval ensemble of artistic masterpieces, such as the Basilica of San Francesco and paintings by Cimabue, Pietro Lorenzetti, Simone Martini and Giotto have significantly contributed to the development of Italian and European art and architecture.” UNESCO

St. Francis (1182-1226) was canonized by Pope Gregory IX on July 16, 1228. The basilica was founded in 1228 after his canonization. Completed in 1253, it has an upper church and a lower church and is frequently visited by religious pilgrims from around the world. The frescoed basilica is a monument to St. Francis. The Franciscans offer free guided tours in English.

Giotto di Bondone – Saint Francis and Saint Clare – WGA09163 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Simone Martini, fresco detail depicting Saint Clare of Assisi, (1322–26), Lower basilica of San Francesco, Assisi (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Pietro Lorenzetti fresco detail, Assisi Basilica, 1310-1329. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Why Giotto Is a Man of His Time… and Ours (bigthink.com)
The Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence is the “National Pantheon” (vinoconvistablog.me)
Art at the Pinacoteca Vaticana in the Vatican Museums (vinoconvistablog.me)
Bernini’s Church of Santa Bibiana in Rome (vinoconvistablog.me)

Crucifixion (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Franciscan Allegories: Allegory of Obedience (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Why Giotto Is a Man of His Time… and Ours (bigthink.com)
The Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence is the “National Pantheon” (vinoconvistablog.me)
Art at the Pinacoteca Vaticana in the Vatican Museums (vinoconvistablog.me)
Bernini’s Church of Santa Bibiana in Rome (vinoconvistablog.me)

St. Francis of Assisi renounces his worldly goods in a painting attributed to Giotto di Bondone. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Dansk: Giotto: Udfrielsen af hæretikeren Pietro,San Francesco basilikaen, Assisi English: Giotto: Liberation of the heretic Peter,Basilica of Saint Francis,Assisi (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

One of the Legend of St. Francis frescoes at Assisi, the authorship of which is disputed. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Prayer of Saint Francis

“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen”

To learn more about Italy read www.vino-con-vista.com Travel Guides.

About these ads

3 Comments

Filed under Assisi, ebooks, Franciscans, IPad, Italian Architecture, Italian art, Italian Food, Italian Food and Wine, Italian Wine, Italy, Italy Travel Guides, Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint Francis of Assisi, St. Francis of Assisi, Umbria, UNESCO, World Heritage Sites

Tagged as Assisi, Christianity, Francis of Assisi, Franciscan, Franciscans, Italy, italy travel, Pietro Lorenzetti, Prayer of Saint Francis, Religion and Spirituality, Renaissance, Simone Martini, The Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi, Travel Guide Umbria, Umbria

December 5, 2012 · 11:54 am

Buon Natale: Holiday Traditions and Celebrations in Rome

: Image via Wikipedia

Italians embrace the holiday season with many seasonal market, events and festivals. There are many religious holidays between December and January. The festivities generally begin on December 6th with ”La Festa di San Nicola” to honor St. Nicholas, the patron Saint of the Sheperds and end on January 6 with “La Festa dell’ Epifania” ( The Epiphany). After Emperor Constantine adopted Christianity, instead of ending the holiday at the New Year, it was extended to the Epiphany. The Epiphany is the 12th day of Christmas when the three Wise Men gave gifts to Baby Jesus. December 8th is the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception, a national holiday. Rome celebrates with floral wreaths and a ceremony at the Spanish Steps by the Pope.

Rome (Photo credit: Moyan_Brenn)

Get a “Vino con Vista” tour of Rome while you listen to Dean Martin singing “Arrevederci Roma” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlqTwYGCW8A

English: Nativity scene (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The primary symbol of the Christmas season is the “presepio”, the nativity scene. They depict the birth of Christ. It is believed that in the 13th century, St. Francis, a modest monk, created the first replica of the scene by portraying the child born in Bethlehem. He placed an ox and a donkey next to a manger near the hermitage he built in Greccio, near the town of Assisi.

By the 18th century, the patronage of King Charles elevated the status of “Il Precepio” to stratosperic levels. During the reign of Ferdinand IV of Bourbon, famous artists like Giuesspe Sanmartino were even commissioned to create the figures. Most of the prized figures made of terra cotta and wood are produced in the workshops of Naples on Via Gregorio Armeno.

An elaborate Neapolitan presepio (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Today, elaborate scenes are set up in churches throughout Italy. In some towns, living nativity scenes are usually staged when costumed participants wander through the streets.The first Christmas mass was conducted at the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore and the earliest known permanent Nativity Scene was created for the Rome Jubilee of 1300.

Vatican City erects a huge presepe in St. Peter’s Square for Christmas and is usually unveiled on Christmas Eve. A Christmas Eve mass is held in St. Peter’s square, usually at 10 pm.

In Rome, some of the biggest and most elaborate presepi are erected in Piazza del Poplo with 100 presepi on display from November 26th to January 6th www.presepi.it. Piazza Euclide, Santa Maria in Trastevere and Santa Maria D’Aracoeli on Capitoline Hill also host elaborate displays. A life-sized nativity scene is set up in Piazza Navona with a large Christmas Market from November 26th to January 6th with a Mercato della Bufana. The Church of Saints Cosma e Damiano has a large nativity scene from Naples on display all year long. It is located by the main entrance of the Roman Forum. Il Museo Tipologico is under the Church of Saints Quirico e Giulitta and has over 3000 figurines from all over the world. It is open each afternoon between December 24th to January 6th.

English: The three wise men, Santa Maria in Trastevere, in Rome. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Gifts are exchanged on the day of the Epiphany. Children hang up their stockings on the evening of January 5th awaiting a visit from “La Befana” a legendary old woman who flys around on a broom bearing gifts. According to legend, the Three Wise Men asked La Befana for directions to Bethlehem but she declined. It took an unusually bright light and a band of angels to convince La Befana that she must join the Wise Men, but she was too late. She never found the Christ child and has been looking for him ever since. So on the January 5th, she goes out on her broom delivering treats to the sleeping children of Italy. The Santa figure in Italy is called “Babbo Natale”, Father Christmas. Charlemagne’s coronation took place in Rome on Christmas day in 800 AD.

Tropenmuseum Amsterdam Crucifix with a christmas scene, Peru, c. 1960 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Vatican Christmas Tree (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A trip to the Vatican City for Christmas is very exciting. The Vatican City erects a huge presepi in St. Peter’s Square and it is usually unveiled on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Eve, the Pope celebrates midnight mass at St. Peter’s Basilica. On Christmas day in St. Peter’s Square at noon the Pope gives his blessing from the window of his apartment overlooking the Square to the crowds gathered at the Vatican. On December 8th, the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception, the Pope leads a procession to honor the Virgin Mary near the Spanish Steps.

Stay in Rome for the New Year Parade on January 1st and the Epiphany tradition when hundreds of people in medieval costumes walk along the wide avenue leading up to the Vatican, carrying symbollic gifts for the Pope. The Pope says a morning mass in St. Peter’s Basilica to commemorate the visit of the Wise Men bearing gifts for Jesus.

In Rome, the traditional dish of Christmas Eve is “Capitone”, a big female eel that is roasted, baked or fried. Common Italian Christmas sweets are Panettone (a cake filled with candied fruit), torrone (nougat), and panforte (gingerbread).

Christmas in Italy includes Nativity Scenes and other Christmas Celebrations.

Happy Holidays from Vino con Vista

Buon Natale and Happy Holidays from www.vino-con-vista.com

Nativity scene on the 2001 Christkindlmarket in downtown Chicago (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1 Comment

Filed under Ancient Rome, ebooks, Italian Architecture, Italian art, Italian Food, Italy, Italy Travel Guides, Piazza Navona, Roman Emperors, Rome, Rome History, Rome Italy, Saint Francis of Assisi, Spanish Steps in ROme, St. Peter's Basilica, Travel and Tourism, vino con vista

Tagged as Befana, Buon Natale, Capitoline Hill, Christmas, Christmas at the Vatican, Christmas in Italy, Christmas in Rome, Epiphany, holiday, Il Presepio, italian food, Italian wine, Italy, italy travel, Italy Travel Guide, Nativity Scene, Nativity scenes in Italy, Pope, Precepi in Italy, Religion and Spirituality, Rome, Travel and Tourism, United States, Vatican CIty, vino con vista

March 9, 2012 · 9:26 am

The “New” Saint Peter’s Catholic Church in Chicago’s Loop

Facade of St. Peter's in Chicago

When you travel to Chicago, take time to tour the beautiful churches and Cathedral. I recently visited the “New” St. Peter’s Catholic Church located at 110 W. Madison.

Saint Peter's Church Chicago

Doors of St. Peter's in Chicago

Old Saint Peter‘s was originally on the west side of Chicago at Clark and Polk Streets.

Cornerstone from Old Saint Peter's Church

This beautiful church is located in Chicago’s Loop Neighborhood. The Chicago loop area includes many early classic skyscrapers of the Chicago School of Architecture including Burnham and Root‘s Monadnock and the Reliance Buildings.

The facade of the church is dominated by a large crucifix. The crucifix was designed by Latvian sculptor Arvid Strauss and executed by Chicago artist J. Watts. It is called “Christ of the Loop.”

St. Peter's in Chicago

A vintage photo of Old St. Peter's in Chicago

The Crucifix highlights the Gothic arch in the center of the main marble facade. The 18-foot, 26-ton Georgia pink marble sculpture was commissioned in 1950 by the Franciscan Fathers, Brothers and Benefactors of the religious order of the church.The current building was erected in 1953. The building is situated amongst the city’s landmark skyscrapers. St. Peter’s is staffed by Franciscan Friars of the Province of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, who live above the church.

The cross is positioned in front of a stained glass window dedicated to Mary, Queen of Peace. The window in front of the crucifix is the only window in the church. The walls inside the church are covered with 10 recessed marble panels depicting the life of St. Francis. There is a beautiful statue of St. Francis of Assisi with his beloved animals in the church.

Saint Francis

Michelangelo's signature on Mary

There is also a replica of Michelangelo’s Pieta in the church. Buonarroti’s original sculpture is housed in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City.

Replica of the Pieta in St. Peter's in Chicago

There is an interesting display case in the basement of the church. I was captivated by the intricate hand-carved mother-of-pearl (also known as nacre) rendering of the Leonardo da Vinci’s “Last Supper“. This icon is from the Holy Land.

The “Last Supper resides on the lower right side of the display case. It is so delicate and beautiful.

A vintage photo of Old St. Peter's in Chicago

Nacre (mother of pearl) is a composite material produced by some molluscs as an inner shell layer; it is also what makes up pearls. It is very strong, resilient, and iridescent.

This material is used extensively for this type of creative art in the Holy Land. The beautiful “Last Supper” icon was displayed at the World’s Fair in 1933.

The Church is run by the dedicated Franciscan Friars. Observe the church panels on the walls, they tell the story of St. Francis.

The Story of Saint Francis

Here are some of the stories associated with the panels:

“The tiny chapel of St. Mary of the Angels below Assisi was a gift from the Benedictines to Francis. He rebuilt the chapel in 1210, claimed it as the womb of the Order, received Clare there and chose to die on the floor in 1226.”

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia

”It was from this holy place that Francis, as did Jesus, sent the friars out by two on mission to announce to all peace and repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”

Image via Wikipedia

In 1223, Francis gathered the people who lived in the village of Greccio Italy into a mountain cave at midnight on Christmas Eve. They acted out the story of the birth of Christ, with Francis singing from the Gospel of Luke. On this day, Francis of Assisi began the tradition of the Christmas creche.

Dr. EveAnn Lovero writes Travel Guides @ www.vino-con-vista.com

Silent Night Holy Night: A Vatican Christmas (vinoconvistablog.me)
Assisi – Birthplace of St. Francis (greatmentor.net)
Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America (laurieslane.com)
Andersonville’s St. Lucia Festival of Lights in Chicago (vinoconvistablog.me)
Assisi, the City of Peace (iriscapes.wordpress.com)
Saint Peter in Chains (cardinalsblog.adw.org)
Santa Maria in Traspontina sits on the site of an Ancient Pyramid in Rome(vinoconvistablog.me)
Image via Wikipedia

2 Comments

Filed under Saint Francis of Assisi, St. Peter's Church in Chicago

Tagged as Assisi, Catholic Church, Chicago, Christ, Francis, Francis of Assisi, Franciscan, Jesus, Michelangelo, Peter, Saint Peter, St. Peter's Basilica, St. Peter's Church in Chicago, Vatican CIty

June 21, 2011 · 12:07 pm

The Church of Santa Maria in Aracoeli in Rome Italy

Climb 124 steps to the top of Capitoline Hill and you will find the austere facade of Santa Maria in Aracoeli that was originally called Santa Maria in Capitolio until the 13th century. The stairway was designed in the 14th century by Simone Andreozzi.

Image via Wikipedia

Interior of Santa Maria in Aracoeli, Rome. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Image via Wikipedia

If you are not up for climbing the stairs, there is a side entrance to the right of the stairs past the Museo Capitolino in the church’s Romanesque bell tower. The lovely lunette above the door has a 13th century mosaic of the Virgin and Child by Cosmati. In the Middle Ages, condemned criminals were executed at the foot of the steps.

Interior of Santa Maria in Aracoeli in Rome Italy

Entrance to Santa Maria in Aracoeli in Rome Italy

According to legend, during the middle ages Emperor Augustus was visited by the Tiburtine Sibyl at the Temple of Juno Moneta. The Sibyl’s prophecy was: “Haec est ara primogeniti Dei” which means this is the altar of the first-born of God. The Emperor proceeded to erect an altar on this site to the deity. The relics of Saint Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine are housed in this church under a cupola supported by eight columns in a porphyry urn.

English: ceiling of Santa Maria in Aracoeli, Rome.

Image via Wikipedia

This ancient church was built on the site of the Temple to Juno. It is from the 6th century and is located at the top of the famed Aracoeli Staircase by Michelangelo at the Capitoline. The 22 columns that support the church are from ancient buildings of the area. An inscription on the third column to the left explains that it comes from a cubiculo Augustorum (from the bedroom of the emperors).

The Commemoration of the Battle of Lepanto in 1571 adorns the ceiling and was built during the reign of Pope Gregory III Boncompagni whose family crest (the dragon) is located toward the end of the altar.

To the right of the entrance door is a tombstone by Donatello memorializing archdeacon Giovanni Crivelli. The Pinturicchio frescoes in the first chapel on the right, depict the life and death of St. Bernardino of Siena and on the left wall is The Burial of the Saint.

Chapel of Saint Helena in Santa Maria in Aracoeli in Rome Italy

Visible beneath the urn of St. Helen you can see the altar “Ara Coeli” that legend claims Emperor Augustus had constructed on this site.

Emperor Augustus Altar of Ara Coeli in Rome Italy

Years later, a church was built over the imperial altar which became known as Ara Coeli which means the altar of heaven. Visit the Chapel of St. Bernadine of Siena with Pinturicchio’s fabulous frescoes from 1485. The fresco on the back wall is “St. Bernadine in Glory” where he is standing in the center with St. Louis of Toulouse on the left and St. Anthony of Padua on the right. The savior is in a mandorla above surrounded by angels.

Chapel of St. Bernadine in Rome Italy

Mandorla above the Chapel of St. Bernadine in Glory in Rome Italy

One of the most famous things about Santa Maria in Aracoeli is the Santo Bambino, an olive-wood figure of the Christ Child dating from the 15th century. This statue was carved by a Franciscan monk out of a tree from the Garden of Gethsemane.

The figure’s miraculous powers are supposed to include resurrecting the dead and it is sometimes carried to the bedside of the gravely ill. If the statue can help the person, its lips turn purple; if not, then they turn pale. During the holidays, the statue is moved to the crèche (second chapel on the left), but is usually located in the Sacristy.

The wooden statue of the infant Jesus in the 19th century Santo Bambino Chapel by the sacristy is filled with letters. Many people write letters to the Bambino requesting blessings for loved ones. The statue is brought out on Christmas Eve on a throne in front of the high altar.

Chapel of Santa Bambino in Santa Maria in Aracoeli in Rome Italy

Santo Bambino in Santa Maria Aracoeli Church in Rome

The main altar has two statues flanking the image of the Virgin: Saint Bernadine of Siena on the left and Saint John Capistrano on the right. The outside arch has a sibyl in the left spandrel and Emperor Augustus whith the prophetic words “Haec est ara coeli”, (This is the altar of God).