Pilgrims have been coming to Assisi, Italy since the 13th century to venerate St. Francis, who was born and buried here, but you don’t have to be religious to enjoy the beauty of this postcard-perfect town. Framed by the long, undulating hills of Umbria and the forests of Monte Subasio, Assisi is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the world and one of Italy’s most spell-binding gems. Not everybody knows that Saint Rita of Cascia is often called “the saint of the impossible”. St. Rita’s story is one of the power of prayer and of faith. She was blessed with the Stigmata of Our Lord on her forehead. Although this stigmata gave off a highly offensive odor she bore it with humility and upon her death in 1457 the fragrance of flowers emanated from her body.
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