We visited the Shrine of St. Anthony and explored the grounds quite a bit. As her first challenge, L climbed a tree!
Behind the monastery building is an extensive woodland area with trails. We tried out the Alverna Trail, despite warnings.
Not too far along the trail is a small shrine to Our Lady of Ghisallo, who is patron of cyclists. The legend goes that Count Ghisallo was traveling when bandits came after him. He saw an apparition of Mary at a shrine, ran there, and was saved from the thieves. She became "Madonna della Ghisallo" and is patron of local travelers. The hill where the apparition happened later became part of a bicycle race route. A local priest wanted her to be patron of cyclists and Pope Pius XII approved it.
The trail had lots of leaves falling down, a very picturesque time. The kids tried to catch leaves out of the air since they came down like snowflakes.
Also behind the monastery is a small garden maintained by the monks. They keep chickens!
J took a lot of notes at this point, borrowing my pen and a piece of paper from the car. Future blog alert!
A small pond is situated downhill from the garden, named Sister Water, a name taken from St. Francis's Canticle of the Sun.
Next to the pond is Brother Fire, a fire pit built recently.
The Shrine of St. Anthony is worth visiting for a quiet, restful experience.
 |
| One of the signs |
 |
| L on high |
Behind the monastery building is an extensive woodland area with trails. We tried out the Alverna Trail, despite warnings.
 |
| Trail sign |
 |
| Jesus, warning us not to go on the trail?!? |
Not too far along the trail is a small shrine to Our Lady of Ghisallo, who is patron of cyclists. The legend goes that Count Ghisallo was traveling when bandits came after him. He saw an apparition of Mary at a shrine, ran there, and was saved from the thieves. She became "Madonna della Ghisallo" and is patron of local travelers. The hill where the apparition happened later became part of a bicycle race route. A local priest wanted her to be patron of cyclists and Pope Pius XII approved it.
 |
| Our Lady of Ghisallo grotto |
 |
| By the bench |
 |
| The madonna |
The trail had lots of leaves falling down, a very picturesque time. The kids tried to catch leaves out of the air since they came down like snowflakes.
 |
| Foliage falling |
 |
| Trail marker |
Also behind the monastery is a small garden maintained by the monks. They keep chickens!
 |
| Garden |
 |
| Chickens hanging out |
 |
| Chickens eating |
 |
| Chicken strutting his stuff |
 |
| Standing on one leg for as long as he can |
 |
| Pepper bush |
J took a lot of notes at this point, borrowing my pen and a piece of paper from the car. Future blog alert!
 |
| J blogs the old-fashioned way |
 |
| Big tree nearby |
A small pond is situated downhill from the garden, named Sister Water, a name taken from St. Francis's Canticle of the Sun.
 |
| Sister Water |
 |
| The pond |
 |
| The lilies of the pond |
Next to the pond is Brother Fire, a fire pit built recently.
 |
| Brother Fire sign |
 |
| Bonfire pit |
 |
| Ready for some cooking |
 |
| View of the monastery from the pond |
The Shrine of St. Anthony is worth visiting for a quiet, restful experience.
No comments:
Post a Comment