Break-In at the Basilica

Description

Break-In At The Basilica is the second book in the series of Adventures With Sister Philomena, Special Agent to the Pope. This time the Pope sends Sister Philomena to Assisi to investigate a break-in at the Basilica of Saint Francis. Unable to leave her summer visitiors, niece Delaney and nephew Riley, alone at her convent, Sister Philomena has them tag-along. Eager to assist their aunt in a search for clues the children explore the basilica, study its frescoes, sneak into the tomb of St. Francis, wander through the hilltown of Assisi and end up at the little church of San Damiano. Every once-in-a-while they spot a wolf or hear its howl or feel its presence. Is it real or a spirit? Good or evil? What is it trying to tell them? A turn of events brings the Abbess of the Sisters of Saint Clare of Assisi into the center of the investigation. She helps to catch the thief and determine his unusual punishment. The personal stories of Saint Francis and Saint Clare and the sights and sounds of Assisi are woven into this great tale of adventure in Italy.

The Story of Break-In At The Basilica

Break-In at the Basilica finds Luigi, a desperately poor man, breaking into the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, Italy, to steal something of great value. He hides behind the wooden choir stalls and waits for the right time. The howl of a wolf breaks the quiet of the night and a burst of warm air sends chills down Luigi’s spine. Thus begins this Adventure with Sister Philomena, Special Agent for the Pope. A boy, Riley, and his little sister, Delaney, are sent to Italy to stay with their aunt, Sister Philomena. At first the kids were sure this would be a miserable summer stuck in a convent with a bunch of nuns that do nothing but go to church and pray all day. Boy, were they wrong!

Sister Philomena, the Pope’s private eye, is called upon to go to Assisi to investigate the break-in and theft of the priceless Chartula of Saint Francis and she has no alternative but to take the children with her. Eager to assist their aunt and find clues, Riley and Delaney explore the basilica, study its frescos, sneak into the tomb of Saint Francis, wander through the hill town of Assisi, and end up in the little church of San Damiano. Every once in a while they spot a wolf, hear its howl or feel its presence. Is it real or a spirit? Good or evil? What is it trying to tell them? Woven into this great tale of adventure are the personal stories of Saint Francis and Saint Clare and the sights and sounds of Assisi. The book also has an appendix of Italian words and phrases that will help young readers become world travelers.