St Francis is invariably associated with the town of Assisi and although Assisi did indeed have a significant part to play in the Saint’s life, to gain a real insight into the message and spirituality of Francis, one must take into account the peripatetic nature of his mission. The first part of this seven-day itinerary sets out to delve a little into the mind of the Saint by following some of the paths that he travelled along within the regions of Umbria and Lazio. This journey will bring you into closer contact with some of the most significant episodes of Francis’ life, while leading you through some beautiful and lesser-known parts of the Italian landscape. Although St Francis was inspired to follow a religious life in the outside world, he undoubtedly adapted the structure of prayer and work of the Benedictine Order as the foundation for his community of brothers. St Benedict founded a monastic system in the 6th century that spread throughout Europe. Born in Norcia in Italy in about 480, he was educated in Rome, but left for the mountains and lived in a cave at Subiaco, where he was fed and clothed by a friend, Romanus, who was a monk in a nearby monastery. Gradually Benedict became famous as a good man and many came to him to seek spiritual guidance. Before long he had founded twelve small monasteries in the region then later he moved south to found the monastery of Monte Cassino. He is thought to have died about 550 of a fever whilst visiting the poor. His monasteries were governed by a rule based on prayer and worship, physical work and hospitality. There are still many religious houses today dedicated to the rule of Benedict, and his influence is felt in the wider church.