Franciscan Sanctuaries

Francis at La Verna (Mount Alvernia)

The first Franciscan friars liked to go to fairs and other celebrations looking for a chance at these gatherings to speak to people about God. They knew that there was a lot of ignorance about God’s true nature as a loving Father; about Jesus’ desire to share himself with us. Many people would listen to false teaching. Francis wanted to share with people his belief in God’s love.

One time when Francis was on a journey with his usual companion, Brother Leo, he heard that a great banquet was in progress at a nearby castle to celebrate the knighthood of a family member. Now Francis liked to go to these occasions for he saw such an assembly as a chance to speak to the crowd about God. “Let us go to the merrymaking up there for, with God’s help, we shall gather some spiritual fruit”, he said. Now among the noblemen who had come to the feast was Count Orlando. He listened with great interest to Francis, then asked if he could have a private word. Count Orlando had this to say: “In Tuscany I possess a mountain that is most favourable to things of the spirit. It is called Mount of La Verna, and is very secluded and wild and well situated for one who wishes to do penance in a remote place. I will gladly present it to you and your companions for the salvation of my soul.”

When Francis heard this generous offer he was filled with joy for it was something that he had wanted for a long time. Orlando arranged with him for some brothers to go to the mountain to see if it would be suitable for prayer and solitude. He sent fifty soldiers to accompany the brothers because they would have to pass through a dangerous forest inhabited by bandits and wild beasts.

They arrived at the mountain and soon found a place suitable for a dwelling. They built some little huts and collected stones for a small chapel. Then they took possession of the mountain in the name of St Francis. If you go to La Verna today (or “Mount Alvernia” as it is translated in English) you will find that the mountain is still wild and desolate with just a small area for the hermitage and the little chapels built over the years. The majestic mass of rock has its own beauty, the steep cliffs and grassy hollows ensure that the mountain still has its characteristic wildness to provide a desolate retreat.

But for Francis on his first journey all was new. As he drew near the foot of the mountain he rested under a tree and there the birds sang and perched on his head, some on his shoulders and arms. It was a good omen! To this day you can see the little Chapel of the Birds built on the site.

Arriving at the retreat place Francis chose a cave for his cell and a slab of rock for his bed. You can see that rock today. When we visit solitary places that Francis loved for prayer we remember his devotion to Jesus who called himself the rock where we can find refuge. When Francis entered into these fissures in the rock he loved to pray remembering the passion of Jesus, entering into the wound of the side of Jesus.

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© Missionary Franciscan Sisters, Australian Governance Circle