Assisi Day 3 - Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli

The tiny church of the Porziuncola, which is considered the cradle of the Franciscan movement (the Benedictines wanted to give it to Francis -- he accepted it only if he could pay yearly rent with a basket of fish) is now surrounded by a huge church (I wonder what Francis or Clare would think about that)

I love one of the stories about this tiny church: At one point Francis was severely tempted by living a normal life as a man with a wife and children, and this temptation was so great and caused him such anguish that he threw his body on some sharp thorn bushes. His blood caused the thorns to turn to deep red roses -- thus we have thornless roses.

I also saw his statue in this garden where a family of doves makes their home.

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