January 2014 – DEV – The Umbra Institute – Study Abroad in Italy

Worshippers visit the shrine of Saint Angela in Foligno. Photo Credit: Emma Cordell

Earlier this month, Umbra students Emma Cordell and Giuseppina Rossi visited the nearby town of Foligno with Professor Adrian Hoch, Ph.D. This visit was a continuation of their fall semester participation in Hoch’s HSWS 380: Saints, Sinners and Harlots: Medieval Women in Central Italy course and provided the opportunity for the students to attend festivities in honor of one of the women studied over the course of the semester, a 3^rd order Franciscan, Angela of Foligno.

“On January 4th, Giuseppina and I, accompanied by Professor Hoch, took a trip to the Umbrian town of Foligno to attend festivities celebrating Angela of Foligno,” commented Cordell. “She was sainted in October of 2013 by Pope Francis, and happened to be a major figure that we studied in Professor Hoch’s class. Witnessing these celebrations, in honor of one of the women we had been taught about, gave us a nice sense of closure to the course. It provided us an opportunity to see the subject brought to life in a way that made her life story, which has so fascinated us in class, appeal to everyone.” Emma Cordell is a Miami University of Ohio student, currently enrolled in her second semester at The Umbra Institute.

Worshippers gather outside the Saint Angela’s Shrine, during festivities held in her honor. Photo Credit: Emma Cordell

“Lo scorso semestre ho frequentato un corso, “Saints and Sinners”, il cui studio era incentrato sulle donne medievali del centro Italia diventate poi sante. È stato soprattutto questo che mi ha spinto a partecipare alla canonizzazione di Angela da Foligno, il 4 gennaio 2014. Io, la studentessa Emma Cordell e la prof.ssa Adrian Hoch, l’insegnante del corso, abbiamo partecipato alla messa delle 11, celebrata nella chiesa in cui è custodito il corpo della santa: era piena di persone, alcune delle quali avevano partecipato anche alla messa mattutina. La cerimonia è stata bella – avevo dimenticato l’odore di incenso che si sente appena si entra in chiesa. Uno dei momenti più toccanti della celebrazione è stata la fine, quando tutte le persone si sono dirette verso il corpo della santa per toccarne la bara. Oltre alla messa del mattino c’è stata anche la celebrazione delle 16.30, la più importante, accompagnata da una sfilata di ragazzi vestiti con abiti antichi, alcuni dei quali suonavano il tamburo. E’ stata un’esperienza per me estremamente interessante: è stata la prima volta in cui ho partecipato a questo tipo di evento, e non ne sono rimasta affatto delusa. Per questo vorrei ringraziare la prof.ssa Hoch e Emma per aver condiviso con me quest’esperienza.” Giuseppina Rossi è una studentessa dell’Università degli Studi di Perugia.

Umbra’s HSWS 380: Saints, Sinners and Harlots: Medieval Women in Central Italy course explores the rich textual, hagiographic, and visual records celebrating women in Central Italy during the 13^th and 14^th centuries. Students focus on such figures as Clare of Assisi, Catherine of Siena and Angela of Foligno, striving to understand the interconnections between popular religious display, individual lives, and the art and architecture created by a culture to exalt its spiritual heroines.

After their first week in Perugia, 22 brave students took part in Umbra’s Nooks and Crannies walking tour. Undaunted by the thick veil of fog, they were guided by charismatic staff members, Cat Tartaglia and Gina Fabbro, through Perugia’s fascinating and oftentimes obscure history.

From the Salt Wars (and Salt Jesus!), to the Rainieri’s street cleaning pigs of bygone days, and all the way up to the highest publicly accessible point in Perugia (hello Via Aquila!), the students now know a little more about the historical city where they will reside for the next semester.

Another tour – for those who missed it the first time – will be announced in the coming week.

Student Kristen Larocque gracefully soars to new heights in Via Aquila photo courtesy of Danielle Rubio — Student Kristen Larocque gracefully soars to new heights in Via Aquila
*photo courtesy of Danielle Rubio*

The inaugural days of Umbra’s Spring 2014 semester may have gotten off to a drizzly start; however, the gloom has finally given way to several days of glorious sunshine and clear skies – the perfect backdrop for exploring Perugia’s seemingly endless winding streets, tiny cafes, and traditional restaurants.

Perugia’s newest international transplants spent the weekend moving into their apartments, getting acquainted, and discovering the joys of Italian coffee. The first day of the semester was marked by Epiphany celebrations (church bells and vintage cars), as well as an introduction to Umbra staff, faculty, and buildings, followed by a safety talk by a Lieutenant of the Italian State Police. A two-day Welcome Open House featured a practical tour of Perugia’s supermarkets, post offices, and major landmarks, which students will undoubtedly come to know like the backs of their hands.

Today marks the beginning of Intensive Italian Week, a five-day “survival Italian” crash course. Up next? A leisurely lunch with Umbra staff for non-Arcadia students, and an Arcadia participant orientation at a local Agriturismo on Saturday. On Sunday staff members Gina and Cat will lead an optional “Nooks and Crannies” walking tour of Perugia and its strange, wonderful lore. Stay tuned!