1300 needed to expand the nave. Open side chapels.

Transcription

1 Francis died October 3, the building of his basilica was initiated by Brother Elais, under the direct order of Pope Gregory IX to raise a triumphant structure to glorify the gospel poverty of S. Francis. March 30, 1228, Elias received a piece of land form Simone Pucciarelli, on which to build the oratory. At the time the hill was known as the Hill of Hell. In Francis day it was a potter s field where dead criminals and bodies of the poor whose families could not afford burial where thrown over the hill. Pope Gregory IX laid the corner stone on July 17, 1228, the day after Francis canonization. On April 22, 1230, the hill of Hell was renamed the Hill of Paradise. On May 25, 1230, the body of Francis was transferred from his temporary resting place at San Giorgio s The entire structure took 11 years to build the lower basilica. The upper basilica with the bell tower was finished in It was officially dedicated by Pope Innocent IV on May 24, He was only able to bless the church 14 years after its completion because of his exile in Francis by Emperor Fredrick II. Pope Sixtus IV (Franciscan) built the grand papal residence over the simple convent of Elias While General Giuseppe Garibaldi was trying to unify Italy another religious suppression took place. The Sacro Convento was turned into an orphanage Mussolini, the prime minister, for the 700 th anniversary of Francis death offers the convent back to the friars. L.B. corresponding lives of Christ and S. Francis in the nave. Various artists work here: - 85: Cimabue (School of Florence) Our Lady in transept 1290(6) 1330: Giotto Allegories Simone Marini (School of Siena) side chapel of S. Martin and a few saints under infancy narrative Pietro and Ambriogio Lorenzetti (School of Siena) Passion of Christ and Madonna of the SunsetStars in ceiling heaven 1300 needed to expand the nave. Open side chapels. Geometric shapes ordered society of Middle Ages; sun revolving around the earth Star of David but symbol of ordered mathematical society. Trinity; inverted is sign of Jesus humanity CONFORMITIES 1 Lower Basilica of St. Francis

2 A) Christ being stripped; full of confidence and trust in Father opposite Francis stripping and giving up everything; he, too, is full of confidence and trust in the Father B) Mary weeping under cross for it appears that life is over opposite Innoc. Is having a dream that the church is doomed. We can t see the reformer, but he will hold up the church C) Christ is taken down and appears that there is no one to preach the Gospel as all have run away opposite- Francis is preaching to birds will continue D) Christ is laid in the tomb, life is finished opposite Francis with stigmata, a true follower of Christ (even wounds testify to this truth) Reminder that christ is always with us. 2. St. Catherine Chapel 3. Confessionals 4. St. Anthony of Padua 5. St. Mary Magdalene chapel Stairs to Tomb: Town has body direct access to God (Elizabeth of Hungary s coffin jostled and body parts taken friars asked to look for tomb. 1803, 19 yr. old Jerome Bonaparte youngest bro. of Napoleon fled to US for safety after nearly being caught by British in Caribbean. Eventually ends up in Boston. Jerome wines and dines wealthy Elizabeth (Betsy) Patterson. Married Christmas 1803 by Bishop John Carroll (1 st Bishop in U.S.) with all dispensations. Napoleon furious with brother for marrying a commoner and asks Pope PiusVII to annul the marriage. He refuses. Napoleon takes Pope to Francis and imprisons him and begins the suppression of religious houses in Italy. When he falls from power the Pope is released. He wanted peace in his life and Italy. Gives friars permission to dredge chapel in October 12 December 2, 1818 the remains were exhumed after 52 days. The sarcophagus was found, surrounded by an iron grate, set into the living rock and protected by layers of concrete. The moral remains of the Saint, in the presence of a commission tat consisted of bishops of Umbrian, lay experts, and public notaries, were found in skeletal condition but generally well preserved. December 12, declared the identity of the body. Chapel redesigned in on the orders of Pope Paul VI, a reexaminiation was effected which confirmed the precedent data and improved method for preserving the body. Surrounded by: Rufino the shy and prayerful noble man and cousin of Clare Masseo the handsome and eloquent nobleman filled with natural good sense. Leone the simple farmer, Francis confessor and secretary, Courteous Angleo another noble knight, nursed Francis in his final days. Jacopa de Settesoli placed there in Lower Basilica of St. Francis

3 6. Gioto Infancy Narrative rehumanizing of God Mentality at time. If holy roman emperor and poser are fighting with someone, and Duke on hill fighting and these people don t seem to care, then why would God? a) Underneath Francis, St. Loius, St. Elizabeth and possible Prince Henry of Hungary (son of St. Stephen) and Margaret of Hungary (becomes a Dominican nun) or Saints Delfina and her husband S. Eleazar 1 st lay couple to be received by Francis as Secular Franciscans. 7. St. Nicholas Chapel 8. Relic Chapel 9. Allegories of the Vows Giotto Virtues are portrayed as knightly/courtly images. Virtues are personified as lady Obedience, Lady Poverty and Lady Chastity. Obedience: Francis is kneeling before her. The relationship between God and a person is the most personal of all relationships Jesus was obedient to the Father (Phil. 2) To be obedient means to do the will of the Father TOR Rule 8:25 seek first the kingdom of God and its justice ; willingly serve and obey Yoke is symbol of responsibility, is not forced upon him. He is freely reaching up to take on his own shoulders. Obedience means to listen. Her finger is in front of her mouth. Two accompanying virtues Lady Humility on right with candle of self-knowledge, o Bears a candle to shed light o Humility takes nothing for herself. o o She knows that she is daughter in relationship with the Creator Do you see that you must have Prudence to know your true source and to humbly accept that all is in reference to the Creator? Lady Prudence exposing two faces she looks older an mature o A mirror because she knows who she is today. Has learned from past, not deceived. o Mathematical instrument charting her future She teaches that we can never truly be an obedient person if we are not a whole person knowing our past, who we are today for direct future. What do I know of my past? How am I today? What do I want to be about? Where am I going? Knowing myself so that I can be honest with my relationship with God Angel casting out Pride o He is half man and half beast deformed being. Pride is so full of self. He is cast out so as to not infect serious seekers of truth. 3 Lower Basilica of St. Francis

4 Francis drawn up to heaven by yoke of responsibility. No strings Francis in not manipulated by God. He freely chooses to serve the will of God because he knows that only in freedom can love exist. Do I live in obedience to God? What efforts do I make to discover the will of God? Do I live in humility before God? Do I live the conviction: all that I am and have belong to God? Only in poverty and humility can we be free of the narrowness of a life which everything seeks its goal and purpose in the self Chastity teaches the pilgrim that this virtue is often misinterpreted. The virtue is an integration of all the creative and life-communicating energies of a human person. Lady Chastity is like an athlete of old, sacrificing herself for a higher goal, the achievement of greater competitive physical endurance, testing her will, purifying her intentions, strengthening her focus. Seated on a tower, surrounded by two beautiful angels o One brining the crown of salvation o The other a palm tree of victory o White flag of purity and self-surrender waves boldly atop tower Below two angels ritually bathing a young man ceremony for knighthood which was an advancement in the ruling class. Knight lived by a code of honor. Francis choice) Two virtues assist Francis and offer the aid of a lance and shield his new amour for an interior battle o Munificence generousity, graciousness o Fortitude strength To right we find triplets: faith, hope and charitywho fight back evil spirits while Penance scourges away Eros who is young, blind-folded and crowned with roses. Eros. He is blindfolded - not made a lasting commitment/ momentary pleasures True follower is there every day in sickness and health; on good days and bad; in riches and poverty On the other side, Francis welcomes a brother, nun and lay person (Three Orders) What do I need to guard against in order to persevere? What code of honor do I have? Do I see a relatedness with Chastity, Munificence, Fortitude and Penance? What temptation is Eros to me? Poverty marriage of Francis to Lady Poverty Francis places ting on finger while Christ stands between them blessing the marriage. o Christ witnesses o Lady Poverty: tall, emaciated, in a patched and ragged gown o Among briars and thorns, but roses and tall lilies flower behind her 4 Lower Basilica of St. Francis

5 Two witness who will accompany the couple:. o FAITH seems to be answering for Poverty o Hope holds a heart and from her head is a crown of roses with flames of living fire Fore ground two small men in red and blue represent merchant class. They are saying: We don t need you to L. Poverty; and dog barks; yet, Lady Poverty is unconscious of it all. Two angles: one giving away cloths to poor man and other with red cape - doing good deed. Third angel is bringing along a house with a large walled garden all basic needs take care of. Two angels offer a garment and a bag of gold; and a palace with an enclosed garden: representing worldly goods given up in charity Vice three men who will not give up something. Nobleman with falcon sport of hunting power which he refuses to share; hand clutching a book culture and learning. He is member of clergy. Man with bag of money merchant Poor in spirit deals with an inner detachment. What attachments do I have? How do I see Faith, Hope and Charity helping me live the virtue of Poverty? Avarice, Domination and Greed are strong words. How do I experience them in small portions materialism, control, hunger how do I live in generosity, humility, and moderation? Francis in glory If we live virtues: listening, faithful lifestyle and simply we are assured of heaven. o Francis robed in glory 10. Lorenzetti Passion Transept Pelican feeds baby with flesh; Lion breathe life into cub Beneath is Our Lady of the sunset: Which do you prefer: Francis or John the Evangelist? 11. St. John the Baptist chapel 12. Sacristy 13. Immaculate Conception Chapel 14. St. Martin of Tours Chapel 15. St. Sebastian Chapel 5 Lower Basilica of St. Francis