Sitting at the pew close to the central nave allegories adorned with beautifully painted frescoes facing the altar of the Basilica di San Francesco, a sudden feeling dawned on me. My whole internal body became completely silenced from within, whilst surrounded by sounds of the rest of the people moving around the church. It was a feeling of utter stillness and silence inside, especially focused around the area of my chest and abdomen, as if I were frozen in time to capture a moment. I was thinking and thinking because the spirit of St Francis is at the Porziuncola at St Mary of the Angels … perhaps I knew that St Francis’ corpse lay in the tomb and his relics were nearby. In the end, I decided to contemplate the amazing moment of internal silence coupled with this “frozen fuzziness” amongst the busy Basilica whilst it lasted. Still in some awe I realised this was meant for further reflection and prayer.

I even got asked if I was feeling tired. I just said I was struck by St Francis. Maybe I’ll leave it at that…