The saint francis church, a place for peace, meditation and saying the saint francis prayer – and heated discussions about flower arrangements
In my Sardinian town Iglesias, there is a small Saint Francis church (Chiesa di San Francesco) which used to be a part of a Franciscan monastery. The monks have sadly closed down the Iglesias Franciscan branch and joined forces with their brothers elsewhere. But even though the monks have left the church is still open and in use.
Peaceful energy….and socialising
The monks might be gone, but their peaceful energy and atmosphere is still there to be felt in the church. It is one of my favourite places to go in the afternoons. I walk to town, to sit there in the peace of the church and have a few moments of zen and calm and meditation. Peace to gather my thoughts, ground myself and be present.
Unfortunately for me the church is also a place some of the elderly locals go to for socialising. Often when I enter the church there are a few, little, old Sardinians in there having a right good natter about things.
The echos of the church makes it very loud too, hence making it harder to sit in meditation. But bless them, they have the right to use their church as they please and not worry about disturbing a foreigner trying to meditate. On those days I vacate to the Cathedral. A beautiful and much grander church, but it lacks the warm, cosy atmosphere of the Saint Francis church. The cathedral is often visited by tourists in the summer months. But the tourists all whisper and tiptoe their way around carefully to not disturb. But the elderly, little Sardinias in Saint Francis don’t think along those lines.
Opinions on flower arrangements
It’s kind of cute, these old Sardinians, all so very short and small, hustle and bustle around the church like it’s a club. One day two elderly ladies were making a flower arrangement in one of the side chapels in front of an altar. They were bustling back and forth, moving flowers around according to whatever way their discussion was taking them. They had taken their shoes off as to not step on the cloth in front of the altar. Two little rotund and cuddly ladies, wrinkled after years under the burning sun, dressed mostly in black as the old (and hardly existing anymore) tradition for widows. Both without shoes busying themselves with the arrangement.
Then an elderly gentleman comes into the church and immediately his opinion on flower arrangement is in demand and he’s (probably unwillingly) dragged into giving his view. My understanding of Sardinian is very limited, but a passionate discussion ensued with raised voices and waving of arms as only the Italians can do. But after a few minutes they must have come to an agreement and the ladies continued and consequently the little man was liberated from giving his perspective on the flower arrangement.
Saint Francis and his prayer
One of the things I do in church is to say the prayer of Saint Francis to myself. Often many times in a row. It’s mainly a prayer of peace. But also of being of service and of being the one who spreads light, love, compassion and understanding.
Although, according to history it is almost certain that Saint Francis did not write the prayer. It only first appeared just before World War I. But that does not make it any less beautiful or poignant.
I’m not a Christian or religious in the traditional context of the word. The words ‘Lord’ and ‘Master’ are interchangeable with ‘Universe’ or ‘life force’ or ‘higher force’ for me. Sometimes I change the words to that, sometimes not, but the essence of the prayer is irrelevant to what religion or higher force you believe in. So use what feels true.
The prayer of saint francis of assisis
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace
Where there is hatred, let me sow love
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is error, the truth;
Where there is doubt, the faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life
This prayer reminds me that our presence can lighten the burden of life for somebody else. And therefore when it is within our power to do so, we can make a positive impact for someone else and thereby for ourselves too.
Lots of love,
Bee
PS: the featured image is from Nebida with the cross overlooking the village
Similarly a link to Sardinian Tourist Information about Iglesias