The Organizing Committee of Assisi 2012 held its final full planning meeting last week in Assisi itself and the plans for our gathering are now nearing completion.

We promise you a very special program, indeed, including events in the three main basilicas of Santa Maria degli Angeli, San Francesco, and Santa Chiara.

Late on Tuesday afternoon, Archbishop Domenico Sorrentino will open our gathering in the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli (built from 1569) with words of welcome and prayer. An ecumenical service will follow before our opening plenary sessions that evening at the Domus Pacis – the House of Peace – our most appropriately-named host venue. Following further introductory welcomes and brief addresses, Prof. Paul Arthur, Professor of Peace Studies Emeritus from the University of Ulster will deliver the opening full lecture on the theme of ‘Thinking Beyond Conflict and Confrontation: Lessons from the Quest for Peace’.

On the Wednesday evening we travel the short distance to Upper Assisi where we will take a tour of the Basilica of San Francesco (construction of which began in 1228), before assembling in the Lower Church itself and listening to an address from Friar Silvestro Bejan (Delegate General of the Franciscan International Center for Dialogue and responsible for its work in Ecumenical and Interfaith ventures) about why Saint Francis and his legacy, as well as Assisi itself have been so inspiring for processes of dialogue down through the centuries to people of all faiths and none. Following ecumenical reflections, we will visit the tomb of the Saint himself for further reflection and quiet prayer. Participants will then be free to enjoy an evening amidst the wonderful medieval delights of the upper City.

On the Thursday morning, we will travel up to the Basilica of Santa Chiara (completed in 1260) to honor Saint Clare and hear from Prof. Jean Molesky Poz (appropriately from Santa Clara University) about why Clare and her Order have been so instrumental in helping develop ‘relational spirituality’ and what resources they continue to offer our efforts at dialogue and reconciliation today. Following further ecumenical reflections, we will also visit the tomb of Saint Clare to pay our respects. The remainder of our daytime program will also take place in Upper Assisi that day, with participants free to enjoy lunch amidst the stunning views, before we return to Domus Pacis for dinner and our innovative ‘Food for Ecumenical Thought’ sessions that night.

To those who don’t yet know, we are in the ‘Year of Clare’ marking 800 years of the Foundation of the Poor Clares/Clarissa Order – marking the moment on Palm Sunday in 1211 when Saint Clare joined Francis in the small church of the Porziuncola and dedicated her life to God and to serving others. That small church is now surrounded by the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli –  it is the mother house of the Franciscan Order itself. This small chapel is said to date back as far as the 350s.

The Porziuncola - Mother House of the Franciscans and where Clare dedicated her life to God

To date, some 50 different nations will be represented among our participants at this Ecclesiological Investigations gathering.

Because of space restrictions and planning necessities, registration will close on February 28. All accommodation in the main host venue, Domus Pacis, has now been allocated and the hotel accommodation linked to the venue is also becoming full.

Assisi 2012: Where We Dwell in Common promises to be a unique and inspiring gathering of voices from around the world and truly a celebration and deeper understanding of ‘Where We Dwell in Common’ across the human family – thereby offering inspiration and energy for the Pathways for Dialogue that our century so urgently needs..