Saturday Visit
San Damiano
One day, St. Francis went to pray at San Damiano, a small, crumbling church. As he knelt before the Crucifix, deep in devotion, tears filled his eyes. Suddenly, he heard a voice from the cross say three times, "Francis, go and repair my church, which is falling into ruin!" Stunned and trembling, he felt the power of God’s words in his heart. At first, he thought he was called to rebuild the church building, so he set to work. But in time, the Holy Spirit helped him understand—the call was to renew the true Church, the community of faith. Filled with divine love, Francis embraced this mission with all his heart and shared it with his brothers. Years later, San Damiano became the home of St. Clare and her community of Poor Clares. The original Crucifix that spoke to St. Francis is now preserved in the Basilica of St. Clare in Assisi, a lasting symbol of his divine calling.
Porziuncola
Swami Kriyananda was meditating in the Portiuncula (in a town near Assisi, Italy where St. Francis used to live). He prayed to St. Francis and all of a sudden felt his presence and a great blessing. He said he had never imagined that it was possible for a human consciousness to be so sweet. And he asked St. Francis, “How is it possible to be so sweet?” And the answer came to him: “By seeing everyone as your brother and sister. By judging no one. By being humble. But above all, by judging no one and accepting everyone as your own.” The great Indian Yogi Paramhansa Yogananda referred to western Christian Saint Francis as his patron saint because of Francis’ love for Christ.
Papal Basilica and Sacred Convent of Saint Francis
High upon the hills stands Basilica of St. Francis, where the life of Francis continues to inspire seekers of God. His influence reaches beyond time & place, even to India, where Paramhansa Yogananda, a great Indian yogi, felt a deep spiritual kinship with him. Yogananda believed Francis was a Christ-like soul, a yogi in Christian robes. Francis renounced wealth, embraced Lady Poverty, communed with all creation, seeing God in everything. Centuries later, Yogananda brought yoga & meditation to the West, teaching that divine love is the essence of all religions. Both emphasized devotion as the path to God. Yogananda’s vision revealed Francis' spiritual connection to Lahiri Mahasaya, seeing him as a yogi who practiced inner communion with God. During his visit to Assisi, Yogananda knelt in reverence at Francis' tomb, calling him a "yogi of the West." Today, pilgrims from all over the world, including Yogananda’s students, recognize Francis as a soul living eternal truth of divine love.
Basilica di Santa Chiara
One day, St. Clare and her sisters in the Poor Clare Order were facing an attack from a group of soldiers who had come to plunder the convent. The sisters were frightened, as they were alone and vulnerable, with no means to defend themselves. St. Clare, however, remained calm and resolute, trusting fully in God’s protection. In the face of danger, St. Clare turned to prayer. With deep faith, she called out, “Lord, protect us! I place this matter into Your hands.” As the soldiers approached, something miraculous happened. The divine protection was evident. The soldiers, who had come to attack, were suddenly overcome with fear and confusion. They turned away, leaving the convent untouched and the sisters unharmed. It was as if they had encountered an invisible force that shielded the convent.