In 1224, at some time around the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, while he was on retreat atop Mount La Verna with Brother Leo, St. Francis received the gift of the stigmata. Over the centuries, inspirational and beautiful works of devotion and art have arisen to commemorate that miracle.
On the evening of Friday September 20, 2024, eight centuries later, the sung “Corda Pia” devotion was performed at a spiritual concert commemorating the 800th anniversary of St. Frances receiving the stigmata. The concert took place in the wonderful setting of the lower Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, where the remains of the saint are enshrined. The concert was organized under the artistic direction of Friar Gennaro M. BECCHIMANZI, OFM Conv. The AdCantus Vocal Ensemble was directed by Francesco CORRIAS with accompaniment by organist Sossio CAPASSO. During the concert, ancient devotional music reemerged from the silence of centuries, allowing the listeners to hear it again and be enveloped by it. The program featured Gregorian chant, the works of anonymous polyphonists writing between the 16th to 18th centuries, and new melodies, inspired by the ancient ones, composed by Friar Gennaro M. BECCHIMANZI. A large audience attended, which listened with rapt attention and concentration.
You can find the complete video on the YouTube channel @Basilicadisanfrancescodassisi. Go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMYJWbfVjE0&t=12s
Friar Gennaro M. BECCHIMANZI
