ASSISI

We began in the new town at San Angeles church where St Francis first had his church. The church today is quite large and it has been built over the original church from 12th century. Then off to where Francis wrote the rule and lived for his order like Angela also did. Once again the original church is intact and the larger one sits over it. Some amazing bronze statues are also there. Up the hill to Assisi and this place is amazing. San Francesco is 2 churches in one and holds the crypt of St Francis and above that is is the papal church built by the pope after Francis's death. Off to the Hermitage or place of contemplation to see where Francis prayed the grounds were beautiful. Back to St Damien's and the monastery of St Clare mass at San Chiara's and we came out to the most amazing sunset. The Francis and Angela link is that Angela was a Franciscan tertiary which is the lay movement that live by the rules of St Francis and some say this experience was instrumental for her as after that she wrote the rules for her own company and the Ursulines were born. Assisi is an amazing place, one of spirituality and peace. 

BRESCIA

It is believed Angela moved to Brescia to assist when asked to help the women rebuild their lives after a period of war. Here we visited the cathedral where she would have visited (the smaller round one with the new behind it). We also saw her tomb and church that is looked after by a lay group of women who are living out her initial company ideas today. We also saw the death mask and the painting of Ursula and her companions, Angela is thought to be in this painting. There was also time to explore the ancient Roman ruins from 1st to 3rd century BC. 

TREVISO 

On our way to Bresica we stopped at a smaller town called Treviso. Here in an old church that Napoleon took over and used as a store, were housed the final Life cycle of St Ursula. These were found in a collapsed church in the area that was going to be destroyed. They have been restored as far as they can the images were beautiful. Here are a couple.

DESENZANO

Wow what a beautiful part of the world this place is. The water a magnificent colour and the Dolomites visible in the back ground. This is the birth place of St Angela. A visit to the place she was born, a walk out to the light house that features in her writing, Seeing the statue of the pilgrim Angela in the main square and a visit to Le Grezze the farm house where she worked and lived with her brothers. Another amazing opportunity was seeing the relic of Angela in the Cathedral in her own side chapel and praying and singing there together. Above are some of the many photos one being the Ursuline sisters with us on this pilgrimage along with their sister who travelled all night from Poland to open Le Grezze for us. An amazing couple of days. 

FLORENCE

Florence a bustling place with lots of market stalls, cars, scooters and tourist. Here we visited the key art historical sites. These included the Ufizi Gallery and the Academia which is home to Michelangelo David.  We also visited the Duomo or cathedral and its Bapistry they were both amazing. A visit to the Ponte Vecchio to view the gold dealers, definitely not to buy and also a visit to San Marco a monastery housing the fresco works of Fra Angelico his work was amazing. The cloister here was beautiful. Having an amazing time off to Assisi.

VENICE

Venice was wonderful, full of little alleys and streets which all lead to something new and exciting to explore. The best advice given was do not try and read a map as it will not help, follow  your instinct and let yourselves be guided by Venice........ Easy for the locals to say.

We visited the Italian life cycle of St Ursula which was similar but different to the depictions in Cologne and then to see San Marco's and the Bridge of Sighs a crossing between the court house and the prison where as they crossed the prisoners sighed realising their last moments of freedom.

Yesterday up early to attend mass in San Marco so we could see the domes with the light on and participate in an amazing service, that saw us being lead down to the Crypt underneath to participate in the blessing of the Patriarchs and St Marks tomb. It was amazing and completely unexpected. Last day in Venice today and as we move into the Angela story. 

We visited one of the Life Cycles of St Ursula today it looked a lot like a comic strip as it was used to educate the people about St Ursula which increased her popularity. In the pictures she is always depicted as a princess with a crown and also often with an arrow. There were some art works depicting her as well. 

Then off to Venice for an amazing ride by boat to our convent accommodation. No televisions and some rooms have double doors just to keep in you in. 

Walking in the Steps of Angela - Mrs Kay Gleeson (Deputy Principal)

15th September 2015

Today we visited the Cologne Cathedral where we were introduced to the legend of St Ursula in art work and statue and saw the place where the 3 wise men bones are said to be. Then off to the church of St Ursula to complete the Pilgrim Walk by walking under the place where St Ursula's bones were and saw some art work of the boats that may have been used. We also visited the Corsery where the bones of the legend are said to be. I will leave it up to you all to decide if the bones are truly from the legend and also up to you to decide if there were 11 or 11000 martyrs.......