Conference of Pastoral Workers with Catholic Deaf People in Asia 7-14 October, 2005 Yesterday was actually the last official day of the conference but a trip to Assisi was added to the schedule for the benefit of all the deaf people from Asia for whom this is the trip of a lifetime.  They will never have the opportunity to return to Italy.  When we returned home, we had a last dinner together and most prepared to depart the next day.

14 October Trip to Assisi, Day 8     St. Mary of the Angels Church is in a little town on the floor of the valley while Assisi is a smaller, more medieval town set on the hillside overlooking the town below.  This church is the first sight most tourists see and it is famous only because of the smaller church it contains inside.     This small church is the original church were St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare, the first Franciscan sister, took their first vows.  The restored church is housed within the larger church of St. Mary of the Angels.     The center of devotion to St. Francis is the large basilica dominating the hillside town of Assisi.  He is actually buried in the crypt which attracts thousands of visitors.     An icon of St. Francis on the side of a building.  Even without St. Francis, Assisi would be a wonderful town to visit, an intact medieval town with its original wall and fort set on the hilltop, all intact.     Our tour group's progress through Assisi was slowed considerably by members dashing off to buy film or souvenirs, so finally we acknowledged reality and gave everyone a chance to buy all the souvenirs they wanted.   Back in Rome, we gathered at the Hotel Villa Rosa for a final supper together.  The organizers gave each group an Italian flag and a Vatican flag to take home with them.  Charlie received his flag from deaf Brother Francesco of the Piccola Mission Society.

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