I never thought I’d be here.
Not just in Italy—but here in Assisi, standing on the cobblestone streets, camera in hand, and fully sober.
This was more than a trip. It was a pilgrimage of sorts. A moment I didn’t even know was possible for me.
The Church of Assisi
This photo I captured is of the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, where Saint Francis is buried. To stand in this holy place was overwhelming—the quiet beauty of the rolling hills, the open green pastures, and the gentle spirit that seemed to cover the entire town.
There is something about Assisi that feels like heaven touching earth. Maybe it’s the sweeping views that stretch for miles. Maybe it’s the way the streets still carry the echoes of centuries past. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s because Saint Francis’s energy still persists here.
Saint Francis and Recovery
For me, Saint Francis is more than history. His prayer—“It is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life”—has been a cornerstone of my twelve-step recovery journey.
In recovery, I’ve learned that time, love, and presence are God’s gifts, and that humility is where freedom is found. Standing in Assisi, I felt the deep truth of those words in a way I never had before.
Photography as a Prayer
Taking this photo felt like more than a picture. It was a prayer in itself. Photography has become a way for me to notice the beauty of God’s creation, to slow down, to really see.
In Assisi, behind the lens, I found myself not just documenting what was before me—but entering into it. Breathing it in. Letting it mark me.
Why This Moment Matters
As I walked those streets alone, I kept thinking: I didn’t know I could ever be here.
Not just geographically—but spiritually. Free. Alive. With a clear mind and open heart.
Assisi reminded me that heaven isn’t just a place we’re going—it’s a presence we can touch here, in moments like these.
✨ I will always carry this photo and this day with me—not just as a memory of Italy, but as a testimony of what’s possible when we walk in faith, one step at a time.
The Complete Francis of Assisi: His Life, The Complete Writings, and The Little Flowers
If you want the most complete introduction to Saint Francis in one volume, this is it. This book weaves together three works in one: The Little Flowers – classic tales that shaped the legend of St. Francis. Francis of Assisi in His Own Words – his letters, prayers, and rules for monastic life. The Road to Assisi – Paul Sabatier’s groundbreaking biography of Francis. What I love about this book is how it captures both the spirit and the writings of St. Francis. It feels like sitting down with him—hearing his words, his prayers, and the stories that shaped his ministry.
