During September 8-22, 2024, the annual cultural symposium Cortile di Francesco [Courtyard of Francis] took place at the Sacred Convent in Assisi.
The event included several meetings to promote and support the culture of fraternity, the true legacy of St. Francis of Assisi. Mindful that this year marks the 800th anniversary of St. Francis receiving the stigmata, the title chosen for the symposium was CorporalMente. The stigmata served as an impetus to focus our attention on the unity between our personal inner self and its external manifestation in the body. In today’s culture, there is a constant temptation to view the body as a secondary vessel or as the sole true value of a person. Thus, the reflections inspired by St. Francis helped us reflect, experience and celebrate the interconnectedness of our being with infinite dignity, transcending our individual stories, choices, or psychophysical conditions. The discussions covered a variety of topics including nutrition, sports, relationships, social media, inclusion and disability, art, Christian faith in eternity, St. Francis’ personality based on a handwriting analysis of the Chartula, [environmental, social and cultural] sustainability and artificial intelligence (AI). The event also featured entertainments such as films, dance, concerts, and author monologues. The tenth annual Courtyard of Francis symposium ended with a “Concert for Peace” emphasizing that today, peace is the most essential condition to enable every other good in human life. May the Lord grant us peace!
The main events of the Courtyard can be viewed on the Cortile di Francesco YouTube channel at:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe4pwlfesVRlBVps1IRhkoOcSaKnD3z8F
Friar Giulio CESAREO
