Day 5 🇮🇹 #assisi #sacred #memories #trulyblessed: 19.5.2023
Piazza del Vescovado
Church of Santa Maria (Chiesa di Santa Maria Maggiore) also known as Santuario della Spogliazione (Sanctuary of Renunciation) where St Francis was baptised*⛪️✝️💓
Located outside the first city walls, the heart of the medieval Bishop’s citadel in Piazza del Vescovado, it was an episcopal residence and centre of religious power until 1036, at the time of Bishop Ugone when the title of Cathedral passed from Santa Maria Maggiore to the Chiesa di San Rufino, where the relics of the Patron Saint were preserved*✝️
Dating from 11th-12th centuries, Chiesa S. Maria Maggiore commissioned by Bishop Savinio, was founded in the 4th century on a pagan temple named after god Giano, on the lower terrace of Assisi*✝️💓
St Francis was a frequent visitor of Bishop Guido at the adjoining Bishop’s Palace. It was there that the Saint stripped off his clothes, nurturing a special bond with the Chiesa di S. Maria Maggiore. At the moment of his conversion (1206), the Bishop was particularly close to the “Poor Man of Assisi” and facilitated his visit to Pope Innocent III (1210), whom he became familiar with*
The simple façade, vertically divided by pilasters, shows a pointed archway with a rose window dated 1162 and signed Johannes (perhaps Giovanni da Gubbio, the same architect who built the Cathedral of San Rufino). The bell tower, in Romanesque-Gothic style, was raised in the 14th century*
The church has a nave and two aisles separated by pillars. On the walls including those of the Sacristy are fragments of frescos dating back to 15th and 16th centuries; among these, worth noticing is a Pietà attributed to Tiberio d’Assisi, and works by Pace di Bartolo. The semi-circular apse was built in 1216, as testified by an inscription reporting the name of St Francis and Bishop Guido. There is also a panel of Madonna with Child from Pinturicchio's school*
In the Shrine is the Tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis✝️ where his Incorrupt Body is displayed and revered*🛐💓
Carlo was born in London on 3rd May 1991. He lived in Milan, but spent long periods in Assisi, where he breathed the spirituality of St Francis. Struck by leukemia, he lived it as a test to offer for the Pope and for the Church and died on 12th October 2006. Since 6th April 2019, his body rests in the church of Santa Maria Maggiore. He was beatified on 10th October 2020 in the Basilica di San Francesco, a celebration presided by Cardinal Agostino Vallini, papal legate for the Basilicas of St Francis and Santa Maria degli Angeli*⛪️✝️💓
Here as in other churches of Assisi, Carlo took part in the Eucharistic celebration, which was a daily appointment for him. The Sanctuary is the destination of many pilgrims including many young people who come to pray at the tomb of Carlo️*✝️🛐💓
1 ноя 2023
