Francis of Assisi – October 4th
St Francis (d. 1226, Assisi, Italy) (Relics: Assisi, Italy)
First Class Relics
Basilica di San Francesco D’Assisi
(Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi)
Piazza San Francesco 2
06081 Assisi, Italy
*St Francis is buried in the crypt of this church.
Churches of Honor in Assisi
Chiesa Nuova (The New Church)
Piazza Chiesa Nuova
06081 Assisi, Italy
*This church preserves part of the house where St Francis grew up. This includes the small room where St Francis was temporarily imprisoned by his father.
San Damiano (Saint Damian)
Via San Damiano 85
06081 Assisi, Italy
*It was at this church that the San Damiano Crucifix miraculously spoke to St Francis the words, “Go repair my church which you see is falling into ruins.”
*Later this church was given to St Clare. A room inside marks the location where she died in 1253.
Eremeo delle Carceri (Hermitage of the Prisons)
Via Eremeo delle Carceri
06081 Assisi, Italy
*St Francis would often come here for extended silent prayer.
Churches of Honor in Rome
Basilica of St John Lateran
Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano 4
Rome, Italy
*The fourth chapel on the left side of the nave is dedicated to St Francis of Assisi. A painting within this chapel depicts St Francis receiving the stigmata.
*Within a small park just outside of this basilica is a large statue of St Francis. He is depicted facing the façade of the basilica with his arms outstretched. If one stands behind this statue at a certain distance it looks as if St Francis is holding up the church. This recalls the dream of Pope Innocent III in 1209 when he saw the church being supported by St Francis.
Santissime Stimmate di San Francesco
(The Most Holy Stigmata of St Francis)
Largo delle Stimmate
Rome, Italy
*This church is near the Largo di Torre Argentina. It is dedicated to the holy stigmata of St Francis of Assisi. It is not open often.
San Francesco d'Assisi a Ripa
(Saint Francis of Assisi in Ripa)
Piazza San Francesco d'Assisi 88
Rome, Italy
*The church is in the southern part of Trastevere.
*St Francis of Assisi stayed at this church during a visit to Rome.
*St Francis of Assisi stayed within a room in this church during a visit to Rome. Within this room is a stone that is said to have been used by him as a pillow.
San Francesco d’Assisi a Monte Mario
(Saint Francis of Assisi on Monte Mario)
Piazzetta di Monte Gaudio 8
Rome, Italy
*This church is north of the Vatican.
*It is said that as St Francis journeyed from Assisi to Rome he caught his first glimpse of Rome from the hill upon which this church now rests. Upon seeing the city St Francis immediately fell to his knees in prayer.
Santa Maria della Concezione
(Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception)
Via Veneto 27
Rome, Italy
*This church is just north of the Barberini metro stop.
*The third chapel on the right side of nave is dedicated to St Francis of Assisi. The fresco on the left wall and the painting above the main altar were completed by Domenichino.
*Also within the third chapel on the left side of the nave is a painting by Girolamo Muziano that depicts St Francis receiving the stigmata.
San Bernardo alle Terme (Saint Bernard at the Baths)
Via Torino 94
Rome, Italy
*The church is north of Piazza della Repubblica.
*Within the chapel to the right of the main altar is a very moving statue of St Francis of Assisi.
Santi Apostoli (Holy Apostles)
Piazza dei Santi Apostoli 51
Rome, Italy
*This church is just east of Piazza Venezia.
*The third chapel on the left side of the nave is dedicated to St Francis of Assisi.
*Relics of St Philip and St James the Less (d. 62) rest within the confessio.
San Pietro in Montorio
(Saint Peter in Montorio)
Piazza San Pietro in Montorio 2
Rome, Italy
*This church is located on the Janiculum hill.
*Within the first chapel on the left side of the nave is a fresco completed by Giovanni de Vecchi that depicts St Francis with his stigmata.
*Also within the next chapel on the left side of the nave, which was designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, is a marble relief portraying The Ecstasy of St Francis.
Santa Maria in Trastevere (Our Lady in Trastevere)
Via della Paglia 14 / Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere
Rome, Italy
*This church is located in Trastevere.
*The third chapel on the left side of the nave is dedicated to St Francis of Assisi.
*Relics of the two popes St Callistus I (d. 222) and St Cornelius (d. 253) rest under the main altar of this church. These relics are joined by others in particular those of the priest and martyr St Calepodius (d. 232).
Santa Maria in Aracoeli (Our Lady in Aracoeli)
Piazza del Campidoglio 4
Rome, Italy
*This church is on top of the Capitoline Hill.
*The chapel in the right transept is dedicated to St Francis. Several paintings within this chapel depict scenes from his life.
*Also relics of St Helena, the mother of Constantine, rest in the left transept.
