Monday was a 'free' night for dinner and some of the friars that are on the trip (two are the pilgrimage leaders) hosted us for a picnic on the roof-top of where we're staying (yes, roof-top...magine lovely cool breeze and an unbelievable twilight view of the Umbrian valley). We comsumed large quantaties of salami, guacamole (we're an international group) and pasta with homemade pesto. It was one of those moments when you marvel at the unbelievable places that God leads us. Here were 20 people - most of whom had never met each other 3 weeks ago - in a small town that wasn't home to any of us, having a wonderful celebration of life.

 

We spent most of yesterday at Mount La Verna...an unbelievable mountain retreat where Francis spent a great deal of time. It was here that he received the stigmata. Bonaventure also came here to spend time in solitude before writing the the Itinerarium (The Soul's Jouney to God). They drove us to the main chapel and pilgrim spot about 4000 ft up the mountain, then gave us the option of climbing on foot the additional 30 minutes or so to La Penna -- a spot toward the top of the mountain where Francis spent time in solitude. The view was amazing and what had been a cool breeze halfway up the mountain was a fairly strong wind. There were breathtaking sites...if you've read Bonaventure you can understand how his work would have written itself up here. Considered 'accidently' missing the bus back, but they probably would have come up to get me. (The photos are from La Penna.)

 

Tomorrow is the last full day here. We do the Basilica of St. Francis. Friday the bus leaves for Rome at 4:00 am.