The Via Francigena

The Via Francigena is a medieval pilgrimage route that originated circa 990 AD when the Archbishop of Canterbury undertook a pilgrimage to Rome to meet Pope John XV.  When he returned to England he wrote of his experience traveling through France and Italy along with much spiritual contemplation about how the experience had benefited him.  The route he took thus became ‘popularized’ and emulated by many.  It became known as the Via Francigena mostly because a good deal of it cuts through France.  It is believed that this route was followed in 1219 (unsure of year) by St Francis who walked from Assisi to Rome to get the Pope’s blessing on his newly established Order of the Friars Minor.  Saint Francis (real name Giovanni di Pietro di  Bernardone; his nickname was Francesco because his mother was French) first walked to Rome in 1209 to meet with Pope Innocent III. 

It’s a very intriguing story in that one of the contentions the Church had with the Friars Minor was Francis’ insistence that the monks NOR the order actually own anything.  There was also the insistence that they live a life of poverty among the poor.  The property issue was not received well and this brought some contention between the Pope and Francis.  The Pope did not immediately accept this Order, but did so after some ‘modifications’.

The Via Francigena cuts through Viterbo and you can still walk in the steps of thousands of pilgrims through the centuries, including those of St Francis and his followers. 

Remember also that St Francis was the first environmentalist J and animal lover. 

Most High, all-powerful, good Lord,

all praise is yours, all glory, all honor,
and all blessing.

To you, alone, Most High, do they belong.

No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce your name.

All praise be yours, my Lord,

through all you have made,

and first my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day;

and through whom you give us light.

How beautiful is he, how radiant in all his splendor;

Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.

All Praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Moon

and the stars; in the heavens you have made them,

bright, and precious, and fair.

All praise be yours, my Lord,

through Brothers wind and air, and fair and stormy,

all the weather's moods,

by which you cherish all that you have made.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Water,

so useful, humble, precious and pure.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Brother Fire,

through whom you brighten up the night.

How beautiful is he, how cheerful!

Full of power and strength.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through our Sister

Mother Earth, who sustains us and governs us,

and produces various fruits with colored flowers

and herbs.

All praise be yours, my Lord …

He might have quenched his thirst at this fountain......