Reflections by: Gzenn Low, Dillon Lim, Jonah Kwek
1. Greccio
We were greeted with overcast skies and chilly mountain air for our first morning in Assisi. We then hopped on the bus and whizzed off to our first stop of the day: the mountain village of Greccio.
In 1224, after his visit to Bethlehem, St. Francis wanted to recreate the nativity scene back home in Italy. He chose the humble mountain village of Greccio to do this. St. Francis wanted common people who had not come into contact with Christian teachings to understand and experience the mystery of Jesus’ birth. He approached his friend Giovanni (John) to prepare this, and thus torches and candles were prepared, and an ox and donkey were brought into the cave too. Once everything was settled, St. Francis invited a local priest to perform mass in that cave. It is said that St. Francis was overcome with love and happiness in the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist in that mass. This thus began the tradition of churches throughout the world recreating the scene of the manger during Christmas.
Sitting in that very nativity cave, I imagined it to be filled with men, women, and livestock, all crowded around a humble stone altar where mass was celebrated. It is easy to lose the true meaning of Christmas in the lights, presents, and carols, but today St Francis reminds us that the focus of Christmas should be Jesus crossing the liminal space between heaven and Earth to be born as a baby in a manger. There is no greater gift than that! After reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas, we then celebrated Christmas mass (4 days early!) in the chapel of the Greccio Sanctuary.
Greccio is an extremely special place to me. Many times, I find myself feeling as if I need to ‘fix’ myself (unconsciously) before I can allow the Lord to enter, as I struggle with my own insecurities and sin.
However, Greccio and the Incarnation teaches exactly the opposite! Just as the Lord chose and desired to be born into the messiness of the manger, He also chooses and desires to enter into the messiness of our hearts, to journey with us intimately. Greccio is thus a place that is rich in poverty and humility, and St. Francis was able to perceive this. I am thus called to do the same, to let go of my sins and expectations and accept the full forgiveness that Christ offers, as He offers His whole life by entering into the Manger of our hearts.
After mass, we had lunch at a local restaurant called Il Nido del Corvo. Its wooden interior was extremely cosy, and I loved the cute painted tiles on some parts of the floor. But none of these beat the breathtaking view the restaurant had of the snow capped mountains all around us.. We had pumpkin soup that I believe to be one of the best I have ever eaten. It was tangy with bits of chewy, stringy cheese and pumpkin bits. It warmed my soul, especially on such a cold day! The next course was veal meat with an earthy hazelnut drizzle and lastly some homemade desserts paired with a coffee and a chocolate liqueur shot. This was the best meal of the trip thus far!
2. Fonte Colombo
After lunch, we took a short 25 minutes drive down to Fonte Colombo. The name Fonte Colombo traced back to a clear water spring that was present back in 1217 and it still exists today. We first entered a small courtyard where the residing Friar introduced this space as an area that Saint Francis frequented to pray. This place was selectively chosen by St. Francis as it was close to nature and sufficient with its simplicity. A furry, brown cat roamed freely in the middle of the courtyard, and the whole area felt one with nature. It was also here that St. Francis received treatment for his eye. I took a reflective posture as I imagined St. Francis spending hours praying solemnly. We then visited the small chapel where St. Francis made his mark with a Tau cross, before heading down to see the root of the tree where St. Francis encountered God and concluded the third and definitive Rule of the Order.
This small sanctuary is also known as “Franciscan Sinai”, just like how Moses met God on Mount Sinai and God wrote the 10 commandments.
Lastly, we went up to the main chapel which had a simple stone interior with the third rule framed at the left side of the church and a carved wooden art piece of the encounter St. Francis experienced. This art piece was plain yet intricate. Despite using only wood, it was extremely detailed, with St. Francis solely focusing on the Lord. Fonte Colombo hit different. I felt a deep connection with St Francis and his desire for the Lord. Sacrificing his riches for the richer spiritual life through complete obedience and devotion to God was inspiring. Being one with himself, St. Francis understood who he was, what the Lord had planned for him and the love he had received from the Lord. I am thus called to ask myself: who is God? Who am I? And who am I to respond to the call of the Lord? How can I learn from the rule of St. Francis, a rule which does not restrict, but sets us free to live? Today, I grew fonder of Franciscan Spirituality after my visit to Fonte Colombo today, and am called to be patient with myself in my growth, continuing to journey in the footsteps of Francis and Clare.