Discovering Sacred Spaces and Fascinating Places in the Life of St. Francis of Assisi

Maria V. Gallagher explores a taste of Italy with Catholic radio host Teresa Tomeo's new guidebook to holy sites in Assisi, Italy.

Italy’s Shrines and Wonders, Volume II:  Discovering Sacred Spaces and Fascinating Places in the Life of St. Francis of Assisi  

By Teresa Tomeo

Published by Sophia Institute Press/EWTN

Perhaps it holds a prime spot on your personal bucket list: a trip to the lovely land of Italy. Or maybe you are a seasoned traveler eager to explore new territory. Or perhaps you’re like me — someone who wishes to escape the humdrum of routine for a little while and read about adventures in a far-away country with both mouth-watering cuisine and historical significance.

No matter which category you fall into, you are likely to be enchanted by radio host Teresa Tomeo’s new book, Italy’s Shrines and Wonders Volume II: Discovering Sacred Spaces and Fascinating Places in the Life of St Francis of Assisi. Part guidebook, part prayerbook, this work brings the majesty and magnificence of Italy to life.

The Italian Connection

I have to admit my bias here: my grandfather came to America from Italy, and I can trace half my lineage there. So, the country shaped like a boot has always held special significance for me. But you don’t have to be Italian to enjoy Italy’s Shrines and Wonders. You just have to have a heart open to the delights of pilgrimage.

Teresa and her husband, Deacon Dom, live in Italy half the year, so they are appropriate guides for a journey through Saint Francis' country. For instance, in a section on Assisi, Teresa includes Must-Sees and Must-Dos. These include visiting churches such as St. Mary of the Angels and the Basilica of St. Francis as well as the caves that formed a hermitage for the friars. Teresa also includes insider travel tips, such as the importance of an overnight stay in Assisi to give the traveler time to pause and reflect on the city’s spiritual significance.

Land of Miracles

Teresa points out that San Damiano is important because it is the place where Saint Francis heard Jesus speak to him from the crucifix. It is also the location where Francis wrote his famous “Canticle of the Sun,” which continues to inspire people to this day. The powerful saint is also responsible for the prayer we say during the Stations of the Cross:

We adore You, Lord Jesus Christ, here and in all Your churches throughout the world, and we bless You, because by your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

San Damiano is a place of peace that changed the course of events for not only Francis, but for Saint Clare as well. As such, it holds special significance for the Church as a whole.

What You Should Leave Behind

Teresa argues that, whether you are going on a physical pilgrimage to Italy or a virtual one, there are certain things you should leave behind. For instance, she counsels abandoning preconceived ideas about Saint Francis. She writes: 

He was so much more than a nice man who communed with nature. Although he is the patron saint of ecology, the environment, and animals, everything he did was designed to reveal God. Francis knew better than most that nature gives us glimpses of God’s omnipotence, immense glory, and creativity. (8)

Teresa also recommends fighting off doubts about the ability of one person to change the world. Francis’ persistence enabled him to chart a course of spiritual freedom that continues to enlighten and motivate.

A Great Travel Companion

You might also want to check out Teresa’s previous book: Italy’s Shrines and Wonders: Discovering Sacred Spaces, Fascinating Places, and Destinations off the Beaten Path. My friend Shelly Henley Kelly did a fabulous review of that work, which you can also find on CatholicMom.com. 

Chances are I will never see my ancestral homeland, but having read Teresa Tomeo’s travel guide, I feel as if I have been on a great armchair adventure, seeing the sights of Saint Francis’ stomping grounds without ever leaving my living room.

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Copyright 2026 Maria V. Gallagher
Images: (top) detail from cover