St. Francis & the birds...ugh

I never got the thing with St. Francis and the birds.  I mean, I know he preached to the birds but that was only once, maybe twice, according to solid, academic, biographical resources on the saint’s life.  Why are the birds such continuous companions to St. Francis art work? Even Friars themselves joke of their beloved founder’s statues as the “typical garden-type bird baths”.  I mean the man raised people from the dead, drove out demons, cured the sick and boldly preached the Gospel!  Enough with the birds already.

Anyway, now that I’m off my soapbox I want to talk about birds.  No, really.  To wake up in Assisi is to wake up to the most beautiful sights and sounds this side of the great divorce.  Death, I mean.  Only heaven and its hosts of angels could sound more beautiful than the swooping, soaring, sitting, singing birds that populate the Assisi skies at the break of day.

On a pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi a few years ago, I had no idea I would wake up to such a glorious array of birds singing so beautifully.  Opening the real, wooden shutters I was struck by the patchwork of green and brown fields in the valley below.  Never could I have been prepared for the amount of birds that seemed to being joyfully playing in the air above St. Francis’ hometown.

G.K. Chesterton once wrote about St. Francis as only Chesterton could.  His book became famous.  In chapter 2 of the same he masterfully commented on Francis’ greeting of the dawn after a long night in prayer. This is what he wrote.

While it was yet twilight a figure appeared silently and suddenly on a little hill above the city, dark against the fading darkness. For it was the end of a long and stern night, a night of vigil, not unvisited by stars. He stood with his hands lifted, as in so many statues and pictures, and about him was a burst of birds singing; and behind him was the break of day.

Assisi and its birds still greet waking pilgrims as they greeted the still-awake saint who prayed through the night, often.  Making a pilgrimage to Assisi is worth every cent.  Seeing the birds is worth a few more.

Present in every space and time

Guest what Pope Francis said recently concerning the Ascension...

Dear brothers and sisters, the Ascension does not point to Jesus’ absence, but tells us that he is alive in our midst in a new way. He is no longer in a specific place in the world as he was before the Ascension. He is now in the lordship of God, present in every space and time, close to each one of us. (General Audience, 4/17/14)

I could understand Christ's ascension to the Father was supposed to be a happy occasion, but like the Apostles, I looked more in awe and sadness at the event.  I chose instead to focus on the great commission instead.  But hearing the Pope's words helps me to see why it is a happy occasion.  It is not such an intellectual understanding, as before, but an emotional one too.  

I also couldn't help but remember being in the Holy Land and placing my hand upon the Rock of the Ascension at the traditional site of Jesus' departure from the earth.  I was a doubter at first.  "How could we really know that this is the place?  I mean, really."  

Our Franciscan guide must have read my mind.  

"How do we know it's the place?  What would the new believers, those who were being baptized by the thousands, want to know?  'Where did he do this?  Where did he do that?  Where exactly was he born?  Where exactly was he crucified?'  Where did he ascend to the Father?  And the Apostles, actual witnesses, would have taken them there and shown them."  Many of the shrines have archeaological proof that they were in fact the places of reverence and worship since the beginning.  

Pretty amazing stuff really....

Custom-fit Pilgrimages from Blessed John XXIII to St. Faustina

It's no secret that priests of different generations might not be of the same mind on all issues ecclessial.  That's true of their particular interests and devotions as well.  Recently Tekton began brainstorming ideas of pilgrimages that can serve priests of different generations.  Some priests may be interested in visiting the tomb of Blessed John XXIII in Rome or the resting place of Dorthy Day or Catherine Douherty closer to home.  Other priests may want to see women of the past such as St. Therese of Liseaux or St. Faustina.  Saints like Maximilian Kolbe and John Vianney inspire some while they may not be as inspirational to others.  

Do you have some favorite saints?  Do you have any ideas about stringing together a few sites that are relatively close together to form a pilgrimage tailored to you and your spiritual interests?  Let us know.  We're like a bunch of tailors sitting around waiting to customize your pilgrimage to you.  (Well, not really just sitting around.  But we're serious about tailoring a pilgrimage to fit your spiritual likes.)  So seriously, send us an email or respond on this blog.  Where do you want to go and when?

Two days and counting

Fr. Peter Vasko, OFM, and pilgrims depart for the Holy Land in less than two days.  JFK Airport will serve as the launch pad for yet another pilgrimage to the Holy Land. To the 25+ pilgrims, Fr. Vasko will share his wealth of experience and knowledge of the land God chose to redeem mankind.  

Pilgrims who return from there are rarely disappointed as they encounter the Holy Spirit through an unexpected vehicle- geography. Growing up, I always like geography class but never as much listening to the guide in accented English explain the landscape of the Lord.  You cannot help but feel an intoxication of the spirit as you close your eyes, ankle deep in the Sea of Galilee, smell the air, listen to waves and imagine Jesus walking on the water toward you with his hand raised in blessing and mercy.  

"Not a bad tought a'tall," as the Irish say.  Especially not as our Church closes in on the holy Solemnity of Pentecost.  

Please pray for our Tekton pilgrims as they depart this Wednesday.