Thursday 30th October
We began the day by celebrating Mass again in the chapel by the cloister of St Anthony’s Basilica in Padua:
In the homily at Mass we were taken through the story of Francis through the eyes of the classic 1950 film The Flowers of St Francis (click here to watch it). The ragtag bunch of “lesser brothers” were fundamentally inspired by Francis’s confidence in the providence of God, that God will ultimately provide what they need. And there was an evident joy in all the brothers when they are together drawing strength from each other. What comes across in the film and in these days in Assisi & Padua is the sheer, infectious joy of Francis, a joy that enabled him to take on suffering, to see God in all aspects of creation and to continue each day trudging to far off places to preach and share the love of God.
Another (more recent) film that powerfully portrays their hardships and close brother/sister-hood is Francesco (click here to watch).
After Mass we were joined by our guide who took us on a detailed tour of the basilica and in particular explained the various relics that draw people closer to St Anthony – including his clothing, the original coffin in which he was buried, and rather more gruesomely his vocal chords and tongue:
Our guide enthusiastically also drew us to contemplate the magnificent bronze statues and crucifix at the High Altar by Donatello:
We were then led around the vast Prato della Valle square in the light rain to the Basilica of Santa Giustina (a fourth century Christian martyr from Padua) where rest the bones of St Luke the Evangelist and St Matthias, who was elected to replace Judas Iscariot as one of the Twelve Apostles:
Encouraged by our guide, some of us then headed towards the Caffe Pedrocchi, a magnificent and ground-breaking cafe which for many years before the First World War simply never locked its doors, and which has hosted artists, writers, political figures and academics, and which now serves a unique kind of capuccino topped with mint that is rather beguiling. The Franciscan spirit was present even here as the cafe prided itself in never turning anybody out – even if they didn’t buy a drink.
To go back to our itinerary click here