Solemnity of Ss. Peter and Paul
Today for the first time our little band ventured out of Rome proper, catching the train from the Termini Station at about 8.00 a.m. for a two-hour, smooth train ride through the lovely Italian countryside. Our destination: Assisi.
For those of us who had never been to this world-famous oasis of peace and beauty, our day trip confirmed what we had anticipated. For the Sisters of Franciscan congregations, today provided a privileged time of experiencing first hand their spiritual patrimony. For all of us, whether or not this was our first visit to the home of Ss. Francis and Claire, whether or not our communities have Franciscan roots, this day brought many graces, beginning with the greatest gift of all, the Eucharist, as we attended Mass at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli.
"Nothing is accidental, everything is providential", as the saying goes. What did it mean that we visited and prayed at the holy places of St. Francis and St. Claire on the Solemnity of Ss. Peter and Paul? Perhaps a line from the Responsorial Psalm of today's Mass provides a clue: "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall be ever in my mouth..." (Ps. 34). What better paraphrase of St. Francis's "Laudato sei, Signore" ("May You be praised, O Lord.")? Lord, may we - and all our loved ones back in the U.S. - journey to You through this life with Your praise ever on our lips. Amen.
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