Our seventh day in Italy began with a peaceful morning walk through the streets of Assisi, as the soft light of a new day illuminated the hilltop town. Our destination was the historic Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, the original cathedral of Assisi situated next to the bishop’s residence. Since 2020, this beautiful church has been home to the remains of Blessed Carlo Acutis, a young man whose love for the Eucharist and passion for sharing the miracles of Christthrough digital media continue to inspire people around the world. Born in 1991 and beatified in 2020, Carlo is set to be canonised on 27 April 2025. We gathered here for a deeply moving Mass at 09.30am, joining in prayer and thanksgiving for the witness of this modern saint in the making.
Following Mass, we processed to the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis, where we paused in prayer and laid the intercessions of our diocesan family beneath his tomb, entrusting our prayers to his powerful intercession.
Later in the morning, we made our way to the awe-inspiring Basilica of St Francis, the heart of Franciscan spirituality. We were blessed with a guided tour led by one of the friars, who helped bring the sacred art and architecture to life. We descended to the crypt, where we prayed at the tomb of St Francis, then explored the Lower Basilica, adorned with breathtaking 13th-century frescoes by Cimabue, Giotto, and Lorenzetti, which tell the story of Francis’ life and legacy. In the Upper Basilica, the vibrant frescoes by Giotto continued to lift our hearts and minds to God through the beauty of sacred art.
The rest of the afternoon was free for pilgrims to explore and enjoy Assisi at their own pace—whether wandering its medieval streets, visiting sacred sites, or pausing in stillness and prayer.
After another delicious three-course dinner, we gathered together as a group to reflect on the high points of our pilgrimage so far. Before this time of sharing, Canon John Udris offered a reflection on the connection between St Francis of Assisi and G.K. Chesterton, the great Catholic writer whose hometown of Beaconsfield lies within our own Diocese of Northampton. It was a fitting reminder of the spiritual ties that connect our pilgrimage with the rich heritage of faith back home.
Each story shared was a reminder of how God has been at work throughout this journey, deepening our faith, our friendships, and our hope.
Pictures from the day can be viewed here
Listen to the reflection led by Canon John Udris
