FEAST OF ST. FRANCIS

We have just finished pranza, the noon meal, which in Italy is the large meal. We have a break for about an hour so I am taking some time to update our blog.

The celebration of the Transitus at the Portiuncola was truly a pageant which included a procession of banners and people from every commune in the Assisi area. I estimate the number of people inside the basilica at about 3,000 with as many, if not more, outside in the plaza. Having heard that seats were at a premium I arrived at 15:15 for the 17:30 vespers and found the church already half full. I was able to snag some seats in the third section from the front, so Jan, Pat, and I were at least able to sit down duirng the service which did, indeed last two hours.

After the Transitus, we met up with the other delegates from the U.S. and formed a procession of our own as we rolled our luggage four blocks through the streets of Santa Maria degli Angeli to board a chartered bus for Rome. The drive took about two hours so we were all pretty tired when we arrived at the Casa de Spiritualita e di Accoglienza Enrique de Osso in Rome. It was good to see familiar faces, as well as to greet new ones. The entire delegation is now here.

After collatio (breakfast) this morning, we convened in the chapter room to test the translation equipment and to learn translation protocol. Even though we actually have 6 language groups present, there will be only 5 languages simultaneously translated during our gathering: German, Portugese, Indonesian, Polish, and English. Three of the translaters are members of our community. There are many delgates who speak 3 or even 4 languages fluently. Alas, I am not one of them. My halting Spanish is getting a workout since it is the tongue that is most useful for chatting with those who speak Portuguese. It is good that most of us have at least a tiny bit of one language in common and on the rare occasions that casual communication is difficult, there is usually someone who can assist.

A multilingual Mass for the Feast of St. Francis followed the trial run with the translation equipment. Our Presider was a Franciscan Priest and former provincial minister from Indonesia so the liturgy was filled with franciscan spirit. Shortly following Mass, we processed down the stairs from the Chapel area into the chapter room and prayed for the presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit. We each received a tau cross as part of this ceremony and anointed one another with scented oil for the work that lies ahead. A festive pranza (lunch) followed.

Pace e Bene,

Margie