MONTE LA VERNA

PARKED DOWN BELOW LARRY WALKS AHEAD TO THE TOP OF LA VERNA...

WE ARRIVE AROUND 5...THE LIGHT IS TELLING US THE DAY IS COMING TO DUSK...

AS WE ARE ABOUT TO ENTER THE SANCTUARIO WE ARE GREETED BY THIS HUGE BRONZE STATUE OF FRANCIS HOLDING A BIRD AND SPEAKING WITH A LITTLE ONE...

MONTE LA VERNA IS WHERE ST.FRANCIS RECEIVED THE STIGMATA..THE WOUNDS OF CHRIST... OUR FIRST VISIT WAS IN  1995. ON THIS BEAUTIFUL DAY WE TOOK THE 2 HOUR DRIVE ON SUCH A LOVELY DAY...IT IS HIGH ATOP A HUGE MOUNTAIN...MONTE!!...IN TUSCANY. HERE ARE SOME PHOTOS OF OUR 'PILGRIMAGE ' TO ONE OF THE MOST SACRED PLACES IN FRANCISCAN HISTORY...