Evening star., 1938-12-18
Assist SpirituoIism
Undimmed by Time
By Frederic J. HdSkin

the Holy City-the town of saints. It Is
an ancient little city of some 10000
inhabitants, and it was one of the towns
native sons-St. Francis-who gave the
place religious atmosphere which has
lasted through the centuries. There the
spirit Of Christmas is already in celebra-
ton and will continue until the close Of
the year.
There is hardly a more medieval city
in aspect in Italy than Assist, and this
quaint idea is intensified by the burrows
that run in a perfect labyrinth beneath
the level Of the twisty, narrow, shut-in
streets-hiding places into which, before
the city was fortified, the frightened citi-
zens could enter at the first sign Of an
approaching enemy.
Assist stands on the spur Of Subasio
Mountain and dominates the vast fer
tile plains Of the Topino and the
Chiascio. The monastery, churches and
ancient Rocca combine to confer on this
ancient town the appearance of an i'm
pregnable fortress.
The origin Of Assist is traced back to
the first days of Rome, but unfortu-
nately there are very few remains of the
monuments of that period The most
important is the Temple of Minerva, now
converted into the Church of Santa
Maria della Minerva, with a magnificent
hexastyle facade in a perfect state of
preservation. That so little remains of
the early days of Assist is explained by
the fact that in 545 the town was taken
and destroyed by Totila. It's restoration
was never fully completed.
In the Middle Ages, down to the be-
ginning Of the 18th century, Assist
formed part of the Duchy of Spoleto, but
also during this period practically Moth
ing was done toward it's betterment.
Internal strife and continuous wars
against Perugia, to whose domination
Assist had never wanted to submit, al
lowed no time for its people to concen-
trate on beautifying their city, Immedi-
ate protection and not preservation of
the city was foremost and necessary.
**
The struggle with its powerful neigh
bor continued for centuries. Among the
1iioot AlilpOl UdJIlSS lIldJ NcIt WdReU
were that Of 1184-which ended with a
truce after the victory of the Perugians
over the militia Of Assist and with the
destruction of the Rocca castle; the oc-
cupation Of 1919 and that of 1921.
Feudal lords, tyrants and dictators fol-
lowed one another in rapid succession.
There were Muzio Francesca, Ser Cante
Gabrielli of Gubbio, Cardinal Albornoz,
Biordo of Perugia, Ceccolino Melchiotti
Broglia di Trino and the Visconti of
Milan. Then in the 18th century came
Guidantonio di Montefeltro, Braccio da
Montone, MARITIME v, Niccolo and Carlo
Fortebracci and others.
During this period of alternating strife
and tranquility the aspect of the city
was improved, though topographer of
the time III report to the government
OF the papal states, described it as
mere heap Of ruins, looking more like
the remains of city than a complete
one. 1t is one of the remarkable sur
prises of town history that the little vii
lage survived during the many years of
its struggle.
st. Francis, the towns most widely
known native son, was born in 1882.
Son Of wealthy silk and wool merchant,
until he was 19 years of age he led q gay
and wild life. But in 1901, when fighting
in campaign against Perugia, he was
taken prisoner and while in captivity fell
seriously ill. During this illness he be-
came seized with remorse for the wild
ness of his youth and from that time up
to October 4, 1926, the day of his death,
his life was completely dedicated to his
spiritual mission. Almost all the monu-
ments of Assist are imbued with men,
ories of the saint. His spirit, as though
he were living, dominates Assists re-
Ggious life. Possibly no place in the
world has been so completely influenced
by one man.
But the spirit of ST. Francis alone does
not permeate ancient Assist. His ideals
and work so moved the rich and lovely
Clara Self that she forsook everything
in life to be his co-worker and inspirer.
Like him, she founded an order-the
Poor Clares-and lies today in the sim
pie church that bears her sanity name
The Monastery of the Franciscans was
built in the 18th century. After its sup
preston in 1866 it was used as college
for the orphans Of the school teachers of
Italy, but several years ago it was re-
stored to the Order of the Minorite Con-
ventuals, who made of it flourishing
school for their mission. The two
Churches of ST. Francis, built one above
the other, also date back to the 18th
century. and in them are found the i'm
mortal frescoes of Giotto, one of Italy's
famous artists, who died in 1887.
1t was the glorification rather than
the spell Of st. Francis that inspired the
genius, who at the very top of the
wedge shaped town gave his mighty
vision play in the amazingly strong and
beautiful church-the first Gothic church
in Italy.
Entering the beautiful Gothic portals
of the dimly lit lower church all thoughts
Of the world seem to be cast behind and
one Is lost in that other-world atmo-
sphere of divine mysticism. The interior
of the church, built in Romanesque-
Gothic style, consists of one nave and is
in the form of Latin cross. In the
transept are to be seen, besides three
marble tombs Of the Cerchi, Nepis and
Eubea families, fresco by Ceccolo di
Giovanni representing the Madonna del~
la Salute seated on throne and sur