A piece of CSS history

Yesterday we got a little bit of a break from all the walking and took a bus to Assisi, a smaller town north of Rome. It was fun to see some of the Italian countryside - green hills, steep mountains, and even some small vineyards along the road. Life outside of Rome is so much calmer and quieter!

On our way to Assisi, we went to Subiaco, where St. Benedict founded his order, Fr. Francisco Schulte led a very interesting tour and we all saw how the Benedictine tradition began. The chapel there is built right into the side of the mountain, and we prayed in the same cave that St. Benedict lived in for three years while he was pondering God's plan for his life.

Our traditions at the College of St. Scholastica have their roots right at this very place, as St. Scholastica was St. Benedict's sister. The history of the Benedictine tradition would not be complete without both of these influential religious figures.

Visiting the santuary made that tradition come alive; it made these saints seem like real people for maybe the first time since I've been attending St. Scholastica.

Afterward, we traveled to Santa Scholastica Abbey, which has a beautiful church and statue of St. Scholastica in one of the courtyards. There, we had a group photo taken.

Last night was spent roaming the streets and visiting the shops of Assisi. It is a quiet and beautiful city, and we were able to see the sun set against the pink and blue sky from the balcony of our hotel. It was gorgeous.

A few hours ago, we arrived in one of the places I've been most anticipating - Florence. Some of the world's most famous works of art rest in the Uffizi Gallery where we will go Saturday before returning to Rome. The days just keep flying by here in Italy. Ciao!

Angie