Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi.
Did you know that St. Francis had a dear friend named Lady Jacopa? Her remains are directly across from his in the crypt of the Basilica.Lady Jacopa's reliquary
We arrived at the tomb of St. Francis (our newly chosen patron for the aborted baby boys).
We met a Friar who accepted our request for a Mass to help launch this new work of mercy and he gave us a special blessing.
In the upper church, we spotted a fresco of Lady Jacopa. As you can see, Sr. Rose's habit is patterned after Lady Jacopa's.
We attended Mass at the upper Church. We looked up and were astonished to see first the stars in the fresco with God the Father and then even more astounded to view the faces of the babies on each side of God...similar to the way James initially painted them in the icon!
Steps leading up to the Upper Church and life- size Creche, giving us a beautiful panoramic view of the Basilica and Umbria Valley.
The two frescos signify Francis' call to rebuild the church which was lying in ruins.
The streets of Assisi are well known for their quaint shops and we were drawn to one in particular.
To our amazement, after seeing a bag of "Mostaccioli Cookies," our young salesman, Andrea, assured us that these "Mostaccioli Cookies" are the ones St. Francis loved and not the Almond Cookies we have listed in our cookbook/prayer book, Out of this WORLD RECIPES & Morsels of Mercy! Hmmm, maybe this is one of the reasons we all needed to come to Assisi...in order to join with the Sisters of the Family of Jacopa Association to begin to bake the AUTHENTIC "Mostaccioli Cookies?" Only time will tell!
How sweet of Andrea to gift us with the "Mostaccioli Cookies!"
Selfie of Bernadette and Pat filled with Franciscan joy after receiving many blessings during their time in Assisi.
We are most grateful to God for giving us St. Clare and St. Francis as the new patrons of our work of mercy initiative to help to bring restoration and healing to the aborted babies and their families and to assist in rebuilding the church.