Congratulations to the new members of Knights of Saint Francis, in Umbria
We are delighted to share that the Knights of Saint Francis, originally founded in San Francisco, have expanded to Umbria, Italy—home to Saint Francis himself. This was marked by our very first gathering at San Damiano, the sacred place where Saint Clare once lived and where Saint Francis composed the Canticle of the Creatures 800 years ago. This anniversary celebration highlights our commitment to carrying on the legacy of Saint Francis and underscores the unity of our growing community.
Looking ahead, we plan to convene for our inaugural Mass in Assisi at the historic Porziuncola, symbolizing our collective dedication to peace, service, and spiritual growth. We extend our warmest congratulations to the new members of the Knights of Saint Francis Umbria, including Rossella Vasta, Andrea Ceccmori, Tiziana Borsellini, and Giovanna Capparelli, for their enthusiasm and leadership. We are proud to witness this new chapter unfold and look forward to the continued growth of the Knights of Saint Francis around the world.
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Meetings at the San Damiano Convent Inspired by the “Poietic Way of Saint Francis”
Art, Music, and Language
The proposed path is inspired by the Canticle of the Creatures and Laudato Si’
The annual series of meetings dedicated to the Canticle of the Creatures and Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’ is inspired by the “poietic way” of Saint Francis. The Knights of Saint Francis Italia presented it on February 22 at San Damiano in Assisi.
Painter Rossella Vasta and musician Andrea Ceccomori, members of the International Board of Trustees of the Knights of Saint Francis, spoke about the annual meetings, which take place monthly. Through art, music, and universal and cross-disciplinary languages, they aim to help people live and bring to life the message of peace and care for all creatures and creation, as taught by Saint Francis.
“Poiesis is an act of making that means inventing, composing, creating,” explains Rossella Vasta. “It is the action that leads from non-being to being, a ‘making from nothing,’ as defined by Plato in the Symposium. Poiesis is a process closely linked to artistic creation. Pope Francis, in his Letter to Artists, says that art is neither a luxury nor an escape but a responsibility. Therefore, the invitation is to take action, and he also emphasizes that art is a means of accessing the Mystery.”
The meetings will take place at San Damiano and are organized in collaboration with the friars of the Porziuncola at the same convent. Each event will be followed by a concert on the proposed theme by Maestro Ceccomori, who, on February 22, during the first event, presented several pieces for the transverse flute inspired by the Canticle, accompanied by Saveria Savidya Shukantala on the monochord.
During the presentation of the program, the mission and commitment of the Knights of Saint Francis were also introduced. This archconfraternity was founded by American lawyer Angela Alioto in San Francisco, where the Porziuncola Nuova was built—a Franciscan sanctuary modeled after the original Porziuncola of Santa Maria degli Angeli, preserving the spirit of forgiveness associated with it.
The Knights of Saint Francis of the Porziuncola Nuova in San Francisco welcome not only Christian devotees of the Saint but also people who, regardless of their faith or religious beliefs, embrace the central message, story, and life of Saint Francis as an inspiration to live a life in service of the common good.
“The Porziuncola Nuova in San Francisco,” says Rossella Vasta, “was built in 2008, strongly desired and promoted by Angela Alioto, one of the most famous lawyers in America, who also founded the Knights of Saint Francis archconfraternity. Angela will be in Assisi on April 29 for the meetings at San Damiano.”
(Article by Valentina Baldoni)