NEWS ABOUT BENEDICT

PILGRIMAGE AND PASTORAL VISIT TO ASSISI


VISIT TO THE BASILICA OF SANTA CHIARA (SAINT CLARE)


Pope Benedict XVI kneels in front of St. Damian's crucifix inside St. Clare basilica, in the third of his three private visits
to Franciscan shrines after arriving in Assisi, prior to celebrating Mass in the courtyard below Assisi's St. Francis Basilica.
He is greeted by Poor Clare nuns after he venerates the Crucifix.




The Santa Chiara complex in central Assisi.
The Basilica of Santa Chiara (St Clare) with its massive lateral buttresses, rose window, and simple Gothic interior, begun in 1257, contains the tomb
of the saint and 13th-century frescoes and paintings.


Here's a translation of an item in Il Messaggero today that tells us Cardinal Ratzinger was a frequent visitor to Assisi.

Papa Ratzinger in the
footsteps of St. Francis
By VALENTINA AISA and ITALO CARMIGNANI

ASSISI, June 16 - Discreet steps, clothed in cardinal's garments, almost in shadows, although he was celebrating Mass to mark the 750th anniversary of the death of St. Clare.

It happened two* years ago when Cardinal Ratzinger last came to Assisi for a public activity. [But if it was to celebrate the anniversary of Clare's death, it would have been in 2003, as she died in 1753! Maybe the sources used the expression 'a couple of years ago' which the writers interpreted literally, but all they had to do was check the dates!]

But then, he was just another high-ranking prelate, like so many others who visit Assisi, and few really paid attention. Certainly, there was no mass movement of the media, security people, organizations, religious and laymen, ready to welcome the same man they welcomed today, only dressed differently then.

Mayor Claudio Ricci, who was then vice-mayor, was at the Basilica of St. Clare for that Mass.

"I was immediately struck by his extraordinary intellectual capacity, his profound culture and spiritual refinement," he recalls. "He impressed me as cardinal because I thought he was a great minister - his homilies were always polished and theologically profound but communicated with extreme simplicity."

Many were impressed by the way he looked at people, and Ricci explains: "He looks you straight in the eye and is able to establish immediately a very personal and direct dialog."

But the Pope has many other past ties with the city of St. Francis. It is an affection that has grown over a quarter century.

"When he was a cardinal," recalls Mother Superior Immacolata Lamminger of the Poor Clare German Capuchin sisters in the monastery of Santa Croce, "he came to visit us every now and then, brief visits of 1-2 days, but he did this for over 20 years."

Today, the sisters would meet Joseph Ratzinger again in the Chapter Room of the Sacred Convent but for the first time as Pope. But their memories of that cardinal with the clear direct look remains fresh and sharp.

"Cardinal Ratzinger," said the sisters, "would come to Assisi to take a day off from his routine, to see the city, and he always chose to come to our convent because we are Germans."

"We always had great esteem for him," said Mother Immacolata, "but he also became a familiar presence for whom our regard deepened. I remember him as a gentle soul, a good man, very respectful towards others. We, of course, look forward with great joy to seeing him again."

"We will bring him only one gift," she said. "Our prayers. That is the true principle of our calling and that which can be of best help."

The president of he Umbria region, Maria Rita Lorenzetti, said: "Umbria and Assisi welcome Pope Benedict XVI, with all the warmth, affection and enthusiasm that is natural to our people. We are honored by his visit to this region which is not only the land of Francis but also of Saint Benedict - two great figures of history, not only of the Church, but for all humanity."

The bishop of Assisi, Mons. Domenico Sorrentino said the Pope's visit comes in what the diocese has proclaimed as the Year of Conversion - "not only because it is the eighth centenary of Francis's conversion, but because our Church itself has wanted to stress this aspect and we are committed to follow and teach the way of conversion. The Holy Father is very happy about it."

Il Messaggero, 17 giugno 2007

POPE'S REMARKS ON MEETING
GERMAN CAPUCHIN NUNS




Dear sisters,

When Bishop Sorrentino and I agreed on this visit, I said right away, "I must meet the Bavarian Capuchin nuns! For me they are such a profound part of Assisi and I have so many beautiful memories of being with them in their motherhouse, before and after the earthquake. A visit to Assisi without meeting the German sisters would not be a full experience."

Therefore I am very glad that we are together now, almost as if we were in your own convent. I am very grateful and happy that centuries ago, Providence made it possible to have your monastery here, which continues to receive young girls from Germany, particularly from Bavaria, who have decided to come here and follow the way of the Lord, in communion with St. Francis - a way of poverty, chastity and obedience, but above all, a way of love for Christ and for his Church.

I know that you pray a lot for me and all the Church. Knowing that there are so many persons who support me with their prayers, so many dear sisters who pray and sustain my efforts from within the Church, means constant reinforcement for me. And I must say thank you for all that.

This year, we celebrate the conversion of St. Francis. We know we always need conversion. We know that all our life, is an upward path - often difficult but always beautiful - of successive conversions. And we know that in this way, day after day, we come ever closer to the Lord.

St. Francis shows us how in his life - starting from his first profound encounter with the Crucifix of San Damiano - he continued to mature in communion with Christ, until he became one with him when he received the stigmata.

That is what we search for, what we strive for - that we may hear better the voice of the Lord, that it may penetrate our heart, that it may shape our life increasingly, so that within. we may become similar to him, and the Church lives in us.

As Mary in her person was the living Church, through your praying, believing, hoping and loving, you too will be the living Church, one with our only Lord.

Thank you for everything. I am truly grateful to the Lord that we have been able to meet today.

We also brought you a little gift - of course, I thank you for the flowers! This is an image of the Madonna to remind you of this visit.

I think I have time to listen to one more song.....[The nuns sing]... Thank you! We used to sing that often in the seminary in Traunstein, and it brings me back to my youth. Then as now, it makes me perceive all the joy in my heart for the Lord and for the Mother of God. And now, I can give you my blessing...