Sanctuary of La Verna

July 16, 2007 We had the most incredible day yesterday! The events leading up to the day were as funny as was the ending of the day. You may remember that we went to the Sanctuary of San Gabrielle with our church a few months ago. The woman who owns our local grocery store, Geesa, also went on that trip and a few weeks later suggested we go to another sanctuary in a place not too far from here--I thought she said Inverno. We couldn't find it on the map so more or less forgot about it. A few weeks ago she asked if we had gone and I told her that we couldn't find it on the map. She told me that you just go straight through Sestino and stay on that road for about an hour. A few days later, she told me she had found someone who would take us! I gave her our phone number and on Saturday a woman called and asked if we wanted to go on Sunday. I thought that she asked if we would want to bring food and eat together or eat at the restaurant. I told her we'd bring lunch, too. We had no idea who she was other than she and her husband sang in the church choir! When they arrived we instantly recognized her husband (Samuele), but we didn't realize they were married as they do not sit together in church (like many other married people here!).

We decided to follow in our car so that if we wanted to stay longer or leave earlier we would be able to. We stopped once for a pastry and coffee that they had brought. We ended up coming back at the same time which was a good thing as there were several times we had to turn onto other roads and would have had a difficult time finding our way back!

I want to start with the end of the day so as not to distract from the actual experience of La Verna. When we were ready to leave Samuele's wife, Colomba, said that they would look for a nice place to stop to have lunch. Larry had spotted a nice picnic area on the way up so we thought we would be stopping there. Instead, they pulled over to the side of the road at a hairpin corner and got out! Then they opened the back of their Panda and proceeded to pull out a very small folding table with 4 stools nestled inside, an ice chest, and a bag filled with essentials--tablecloth, plates, napkins, and silverware! They proceeded to set everything up and we sat down to eat. We took out the sandwiches I had made, but were instantly made to see we would be eating what they brought! She had a primo piatto of a rice casserole that she had made that morning (I declined this as there were things in it that I do not eat!!), then there was the secondo of meat, then stuffed zucchini (which again, I declined). I ate my sandwich in addition to the meat and then Larry wanted to at least offer our peaches to the meal, but she told him to put it away and have dessert! After dessert, she then brought out her peaches plus some apples. Our peaches were to go back home with us! Oh, almost forgot--two bottles of wine! People driving by often stared and she would tell them something like "don't be looking at us just go" or "arrivederci, ciao, ciao!" After we finished eating we packed up and headed home. During the drive home we saw several other groups pulled over on the side of the road enjoying their picnic with tables, chairs, and wine!

Now, back to the actual experience. I cannot even begin to tell you of the beauty of La Verna! The landscape and scenery are beyond description! If it were that and nothing more, it would still be a spiritual experience. Around every bend is another incredible view. Whether it is the panorama or the rugged, jutting rocks amongst the huge trees you cannot help but thank God for such beauty!

In addition to the beauty, is the knowledge that this is a holy place. The mountain was given to San Francesco by the Count of Chiusi, Orlando Catani, in 1213. It was to be a place for refuge for San Francesco and his followers. On one of his visits, during the summer of 1224, he was given the stigmata.

There is a real sense of peace in this place, which is exactly what St. Francis was all about. In fact, the welcome from the Franciscan community of La Verna is "May the Lord give you peace." In a corner of the gateway entrance is a sign in both Latin and Italian which translates to "There is in the whole world no mountain more holy."

Please enjoy.

























With love, Sz & Larry