Blessing Assisi

Just prior to his death, St. Francis asked his Franciscan brothers to carry him to Portiuncula where their monastic life originated. As they were carrying him, they came to a hillside overlooking Assisi and stopped. He stared at the town, the mountains and the valley, slowly lifted his hands to make the sign of the Cross, and blessed Assisi saying, "May God bless you, holy city, for through you many souls will be saved; in you many servants of God dwell; and from you many will be chosen for the kingdom of eternal life." Exhausted, he laid back on the stretcher, and the brothers carried him to the town of Portiuncula. He prepared for his death as he lay in his hut near the chapel of Our Lady of the Angels, which, as a young man he had helped restore.

Meditation:

Nearing the end of his journey in walking the way of the Cross, St. Francis once again turned to the Father to ask that His Will be accomplished through the town of his birth. During his journey, he shared the joys and happiness of the people of Assisi as he worked, ate, slept, prayed, and lived with them. He loved his birthplace where his salvation began.