Taken Up With God In A Place Of Solitude And Silence

Photo taken at the Portiuncula Retreat Center in Jerusalem, Ohio

The blessed and venerable Francis wanted only to be taken up with God and to purify his spirit of the dust of the world which eventually clings to us in our daily association with others. So he periodically withdrew to a place of solitude and silence...He would take with him a very few companions from among those more intimately associated with his inner life, so that they might keep people from visiting or disturbing him, and might lovingly and faithfully keep guard over his quiet.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, First Life - 91

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