Thursday 19 September

Thursday 19 September - Poggio Bustone

This is one of the days that got missed out and I secretly hoped nobody would notice, but not a bit of it. I have had at least three emails or messages asking where it is. So here it is!

From Greccio where we were staying this year, Poggio is right across the whole width of the valley, much further than it was from Cabrini. That Cabrini house has been closed and the sisters gone somewhere else. It is true that Etorina was very unwell and the other two were elderly,  but no more so than we three. It all looks different when you get there! But their presence in the valley is much missed and I guess that is far stronger than we have been able to pick up. Anyway, we got there, Guido our driver was as good as they always are, negotiating the U-turns with skill and calm. 

The weather was cloudy and the road lined with fig trees, to Andre's fury as his pampered tree in New York still wont give figs and it is becoming a personal contest! Luca, the guardian is still there and says he expects to remain there until they find another fool to take over. There were three dogs hanging around, none of them belonging there but are from the village and they wander up to the sanctuary because (Luca's opinion) there is more happening and they get nibbles from the pilgrims!

We had Mass and an excellent homily from Andre and those who wanted had a chance of confession since this is the place where Francis finally accepted that he was forgiven. Then they had a historical visit though not a lot to see and mostly climbing down a tight crevasse to another of Francis' caves where only the slim or semi slim can pass! Then the energetic climbed the mountain. I went and sat in the picnic area and looked at the wonderfully wooded hills rolling in all directions.  No wonder that they say the UK is the most sparsely tree covered country in Europe. As I sat there gazing and thinking and just sitting, every now and again I heard the bell on the to of the mountain which each climber rings when they reach the top. So all the climbers made it and came down tired but pleased with themselves.

About midday we left to return to Oasi for 1.00 pranzo, a siesta and in the late afternoon we had a lecture and after supper a Preparation for Greccio, that very moving ritual where we pass the bambino around among the pilgrims. It always touches cords of one sort and another. 

This is a very comfortable group and, as we later discovered, all of them have been to Assisi before, though some only for a day or two and often it was thirty years ago. But it seems to make a difference, and certainly is easier for us. Ten FMDMs is certainly a bonus as they always bring a wealth of experience and have done so again. Two are Nigerian and two from Singapore, three are Irish and the rest UK. Then we have two married couples and two deacons so Murray and Andre 'have' one each if you follow me. There are about five people who have recently been bereaved and that seems to give a certain depth to the group and to any discussions. Then there are two other Poor Clares, Nelia  from Cincinnati and Sharon fromS Carolina. This is really nice as I know both those communities and Sharon came on the pilgrimage some years ago before she entered. Now she is finally professed and had not expected to come again but hers is one of the communities where they draw lots each year for who is to come and to her amazement her name came out. She was a professional singer and has a lovely voice. I remember her singing the Canticle of Creation in the Mantra version, it was the first year we had those books and it sounded wonderful. Being a musician must be as taxing on a pilgrimage as it is in a community but she is just peacefully bumbling on and when asked to sing, she sings. Then there is a young Irish friar coming up for solemn profession next year, who is probably the only one in the group who can still run! So all in all it is an interesting group, the average age is probably higher than usual but that is Ok too.

At the moment there is a massive thunderstorm going on. Fortunately there is nothing out scheduled for the rest of today, Murray has a lecture on Francis and non-violence and then there is a prayers service on the same. Usually we take them up to the Rocca at this point but with this thunderstorm raging on it may not be wise!

More in my next!