II.v. Francesco

"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible"
- Francis of Assisi

I feel horrible. Yesterday, in all the hubbub of Bologna's civic holiday, someone very important, far more important in fact than old Saint Petronius, got left behind. Yesterday, October 4th, was also San Francesco, Saint Francis' Day, the patron saint of all of Italy.
    I suppose he doesn't get much respect here among the bon vivant Bolognese, who value gluttony more than asceticism, but he does deserve a certain amount of respect, doesn't he? Didn't he renounce his father's clothes to go nakes into the wilderness? Didn't he preach to the birds? Poor saint Francis.
    But Bologna is not poor, Bologna is rich, and Saint Francis doesn't get much respect these days. Feeling guilty yet again, I decided to go visit the Franciscans, to attend a concert they were holding in honour of their patron namesake. The concert, well attended by the Bolognese establishment, was in fact a fundraiser for a choral group, which was apparently quite well known. It was an event entirely organized by volunteers, and it did seem rather lacking in preparation- as I entered the makeshift concert hall, which was in fact the magnificent monks' library, there was a flurry of activity- black-robed Franciscans scurried about setting up additional rows of chairs, as there were somewhat more spectators arriving than had been anticipated.
    Eventually, everyone found their respective places and the concert began. It consisted of a solo classical guitarist, followed by a jazz band of rather older gentlemen whose goal was to blend Baroque with Bee-Bop. A somewhat odd combination in a centuries old hall overlooked by a stern thirteenth century crucifix, hung high above the stage. But the concert went on and it was quite a success; the Franciscan choral group would likely have enough money to continue for another year, and all was well.