ITALY: ASSISI: FEAST OF ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI

(4 Oct 1997) English/Nat The quake-battered residents of Assisi marked the feast day of their patron saint on Saturday, with an outdoor Mass. The service honouring St Francis was moved away from the city's Basilica, which was badly damaged in the recent earthquakes. Eleven people died in the tremors - including four people buried by falling masonry inside the Basilica itself. Many residents of Assisi are still forced to live in emergency camps - with more than 4 thousand homes badly damaged. Victims both young and old are obliged to queue for food, unsure of when they'd be able to return to their damaged homes. In the first quake just over a week ago the vaulted ceiling of the Basilica collapsed killing four people, and extensive damage was done to the rest of the building and its artworks. Monks from the local Franciscan order were concerned about their medieval basilica and the safety of their elderly colleagues. SOUNDBITE:(English) "We have sent out the old friars and some sick friars, because we have in the area two other friaries Il Ribotorto and Il Francescano, and we will tell them to stay there. The lower section of the convent is completely safe". SUPER CAPTION: Nicola Giandomenico, Franciscan friar The traditional mass held in honour of Saint Francis also fell victim to the quakes - the service had to be moved from the Basilica for safety reasons. Instead it was celebrated on the piazza outside the church of Santa Maria Degli Angeli on the plain below Assisi's medieval centre But despite the change of venue the service retained all the traditional elements. Special oil was brought to the altar to be blessed before being used to fuel a flame which burns perpetually in honour of Saint Francis. It is not known when those forced from their homes by the earthquakes will be able to return, but many of the region's buildings are medieval and will be very difficult to repair. The full cost of the damage has not yet been calculated. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...