This past week, four of us went on a pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi with Franciscan University’s study abroad program. Before arriving in Rome, we sisters and a T.O.R. Friar made a few of our own stops along the way. One of them was La Verna, Italy.
La Verna is an important place in Franciscan History and Spirituality because it is in this place where St. Francis of Assisi received the stigmata, the visible wounds of Christ Crucified. Mount La Verna was a place where he and his brothers like St. Bonaventure and St. Anthony would spend a lot of time in prayer, and I was so excited to see and be in this place where these saints prayed. I came to La Verna with many prayer intentions but what rang louder within my heart was to ask these saints to teach me what it means to be a Franciscan contemplative penitent committed to works of mercy, which is what TOR Sisters are called to be.
Mount La Verna was such a beautiful place. It overlooked the green Italian mountains and valleys that were breathtaking. I understand how St. Francis was able to write the Praises of God there - the view inspires awe and wonder.
The place had marked rooms where St. Francis, St. Bonaventure, and St. Anthony prayed, as well as the spot where St. Francis received the stigmata. Their prayer cells were small and austere and I was able to spend a long time in each so I did, imploring their advice and intercession. When I was in St. Francis’ cell reflecting on what it means to be a Franciscan contemplative penitent, what came to mind was this line from Jesus when He was in agony in the garden, “not my will, but Yours.” I realized that this phrase encapsulates what it means to be a Franciscan contemplative penitent committed to works of mercy: it means constantly yielding to the will of the Father, and in order to know this will I must stay close to Him in contemplation. Saint Francis lived this way, so much so that his union with God revealed itself on his flesh through the wounds of Christ. Saint Francis constantly sought the Father’s will and to deny his own will for the sake of Love. May we do the same.
-Sr. Mary Petra Ricciardi, T.O.R.
