Romeward Bound....

By Rosebud -



With that whole two car thing, we got separated getting out of Assisi. We hadn't expected it and none of us were thinking super clearly because we were wroried about Daddy, so we didn't specifically make a plan about where to meet. We had originally intended to head down the hill at meet at the Portiuncula Basilica. Basilica Maria della Angeli was built around the original Portiuncula chapel, so it's a tiny church inside an enormous one.

[[For those of you who do not know the story, here's the short version. In the midst of his conversion process, St. Francis was praying one day in a small, old, ramshackle church. Christ miraculously came off the (previously mentioned San Damiano) cross and told Francis, "Rebuild My Church, which is in ruins." Unfortunately, Francis is a bit of a literalist and thought God meant church with a small "c". So brick by brick, he repaired the entire Portiuncula chapel. He finished his labor of love and went to the Lord, who said (I paraphrase) "That was a great start, Francis. Now how's about you do the ACTUAL Church, 'kay?"]]

Being an alum of Franciscan University and being equally as thick-headed as Francis sometimes, I have a fondness for that story. But the Port, as we call it, has an especial place in my heart because Steubenville made a model of it as their Eucharistic chapel, where they had 24/7 adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. So many hours spent in prayer in that little church, the possibility of seeing the real thing was breathtaking. The first time I was in Assisi, we couldn't get in because of earthquake damage. The second time, the main road through town was closed due to construction. We had planned that as our last stop before we hit the road to Rome.

Unfortunately, we didn't have a chance to figure out the plan change after Daddy fell, so both cars tried their best to figure out what to do. Eventually we did end up at the Basilica, but only after numerous stops including a pharmacy for an ace bandage (which four separate individuals had considered packing but changed their mind at the last minute.) and attempting to find a cane or crutch. Which was a hysterical (the frantic kind, not the funny kind) yet unsuccessful adventure in and of itself. After many rejected text messages and a bunch of unconnected phone calls and a not unreasonable amount of screaming at God, we finally found each other, five minutes after the church closed for siesta.

I couldn't make this stuff up if I were a screenwriter. It was all just so ridiculous.

Ridiculously, by the time everyone who needed to use the bathroom did (since it took a while to find the proper amount of coins. As with many bathrooms in Europe, this place charged for each entrance), Steven and I wandered through what felt like the entire city of Perugia desperately trying to find a cafe, grocery store, or pharmacy that was open during siesta, and we stopped to get gas, siesta was nearly done. Se we left Daddy to rest, Mum to worry, Gabbie to avoid the incensy church, and the rest of us went in to the church.


The kids lit candles at every possible place in the church for Pop while I had a few moments in the chapel to calm down.





Then, with frustration and fury, worry and hopeless impotence, we set out for Rome.

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