Medical specialists, clergy, lawyers, morticians, and musicians are a particular group. (No, this is not one of those what-doesn’t-belong-in-this-list things, nor is that a list in descending order of social desirability, although some might think so.) These are professionals often involved in other people’s life transitions: births, blessings, weddings, funerals, etc. Because of that, we (I’m a musician in the real world) usually develop an emotional insulation that enables us to perform hundreds and hundreds of funerals (or even worse, weddings) in a life-time without going (too) crazy.

So it was that when I was the choral director on a church choir performing tour of the Vatican and Italy, that I wound up conducting a choral mass in a dark underground crypt, literally inches away from the entombed body of St. Francis of Assisi, and surrounded by the tombs of his first followers. Even emotionally immune, hard-hearted-me was greatly moved. This was one gig (musician talk for “engagement”) that was not just a gig.

If there was ever somebody who deserved the title. Saint (and in my opinion, not many do), it was Francis of Assisi. No use recounting his story. Everyone of almost every religion (or none) knows it.

The pictures in this post are from my visit to Assisi. It was definitely BDC (before digital cameras), but that’s what scanners are for.

Assisi is a small town in the middle of Italy, that looks out over rolling hills of farmland. Bees hum about trellises and window boxes of flowers and the air is warm and humid but fresh and unspoiled.

The Basilica of San Francesco Assisi which rests atop the crypt where we performed was severely damaged by an earthquake in 1997. Four people were killed and some important artwork was permanently destroyed. The building was eventually restored and improved but at a cost that was controversial (see this BBC News article).

That controversy aside, the values espoused by St. Francis have inspired many. One such inspiration is the Francis House (4703 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, FL 33603; 813-237- 3066) which “is an interfaith center designed to respond with compassion and justice to the spiritual, emotional, educational and physical well being of individuals and families infected, affected or at risk for HIV/AIDS.

“A day respite center for people infected or affected by HIV / AIDS, Francis House is the only respite program of its kind in the tri-city area of Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater.” (Quotes from Francis House website.)

December 1, 2008 is World AIDS Day. As part of the group, Bloggers UNITE, I would like to encourage you, during this season of giving, to remember Francis House and give them a generous donation.

The Tampa Bay area has many excellent research and treatment centers for HIV and AIDS, such as:

• the USF HIV Clinical Research Unit and the USF Southeast Region STD/HIV Prevention Training Center (SEPTC),
• the Tampa Bay AIDS Network (combined Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services and the Tampa AIDS Network),
• Metro Charities (their thrift shop in St. Pete is one of my favorite spots for thrifting),
• the AIDS Institute, and the
• AIDS Partnership.

But none of those is more deserving of your help than the Francis House which provides “a safe place for people to come and experience a positive environment that is conducive to helping individuals help themselves. All services are free and confidential… One unique aspect of Francis House is that we offer programs for the entire family and not just the HIV / AIDS infected individual.” They “never lose sight of the big picture that people need the human touch.” Francis House “was founded in Tampa, Florida, in 1990 by Sister Anne Dougherty of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegheny.”

Please give to them generously of your time and/or money. Donations to Francis House are Tax Deductible.