The Camino de Assisi.
The Way of St Francis.
Italy: From Florence to Assisi, then on to Rome. Trek For A Dream.
Post 12: June 20, 2018, Wednesday.
I made it to Santuario della Verna, Italy. Gone 10 days. Day 8 on The Way.
“Maybe” has no place in God’s dictionary.
Moments ago, I was with some pilgrims at the very small Chapel of the Stigmata, at the Monastery of Santuario della Verna. This is the exact spot that St. Francis, the Patron Saint of Italy, received the Stigmata. While we were praying, a Sister appeared, Sister Violet, and began to tell all that were listening, and speaking in English, that: “maybe” has no place in God’s dictionary. She said that if you had “faith” the size of just the tip of a pin, that was enough to receive God’s grace. Then she spoke on the Bible verses about faith the size of a mustard seed, Matthew 17:20, and invited us all to kneel at the site. We were encouraged to leave a lot of “stuff” in our lives at that site, and to send up prayers and requests to God. . . . Some of us have come a long way to witness the blessings in that little Chapel. And to confirm our faith. And I laid the Prayer Cards there. So, all of you that gave me your prayer cards, requests, and . . . dreams, I hope today you receive a Godly boost to your faith. Please remember, even faith the size of just the tip of a pin, or the size of a mustard seed has no room whatsoever for “maybe.” I tried to get a picture of Sister Violet, but she . . . disappeared.
I arrived here last night and got a room at the Monastery of Santuario della Verna. It’s a really nice little room, and I wanted to collapse and sleep, but made it to Cena ore 19,30 for dinner, and I’m glad I did because I met a lot of people and a lot of monks from around the world. Eventually, I brought out the Prayer Cards, and they burst into some kind of monk “victory” prayer with smiles and all, and nothing somber about all the good things God will be doing for all those who have laid out their petitions. I was expecting something more somber, but no way. It was a good evening with the monks and the pilgrims. And so, tired, I decided that I would not trek the next day, which is today. Giving my body a rest. Tomorrow morning, I head off for Pieve Santo Stefano, known as the “City of the Diary” for the archive of over 7000 journals and diaries.
I’m hoping to hear from more of my friends from the Dream Center, and Trek for a Dream, and especially DCD. Please let me know you are seeing my humble short posts. Miss you all, and hoping your faith is growing and growing.
Love to all,
Tom
Hangin with the monks, and celebrating victory for all the prayer requests, dreams, and petitions.
Small Chapel of the Stigmata.
Chapel of the Relics. The abit (small piece), coarse woolen tunic Saint Francis wore when, in September 1224, he received the Stigmata here in La Verna.
The projecting rock. The “Sasso Spicco.” A place for meditation by St. Francis.
I visited this cave like place where St. Francis conceded a little rest to Brother Ass by stretching himself out on the bare stone. The monks protect the spot with the iron grating because the people, believing it to be miraculous, carried off pieces of the stone.