Meditalia - Capitolo Quattro (continuativo)

It's super hot this afternoon and I thought I'd come & spend some time at the cool Internet Point. It's not really that "cool" (as in snazzy) but it is certainly cool (as in, not hot)!

Just before coming here, I had a wonderful encounter with a signora in a local shop, one of the few places open during the sieste. I overheard her speaking French to other customers, so I addressed her in French. When she found out I was Canadian, she was thrilled! Turns out she spent 13 years in Montreal when her girls were teenagers. We proceeded to chat in a mixture of French, English & Italian. It was delightful... She expressed great admiration for the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa, especially the Library. When I told her I worked for the Library, she was overjoyed! By the time I left there, I felt like I'd made a new friend. She even blew me kisses as I left. Now, if only I'd thought to ask her her name. (Somehow, it doesn't really matter...)

Originally, when we chose Cortona as one of our stops, we thought we'd be able to do a day trip to Città di Castella (it was one of the suggestions in our Pilgrim's Italy book). It looked simple on the map, but it's not quite so simple logistically. So, we've decided to relax here for another day before heading to Siena early tomorrow (Thursday) morning. I am grateful for this turn of events. Otherwise, I would have missed out on a powerful spiritual experience this morning. Allow me to share...

There is a wonderful road that leads to the Santuario di Santa Margherita higher up the mountain. It is on a steep incline, but it is lined with the 14 Stations of the Cross. Now, I was raised a Catholic. The Stations of the Cross have been in every church I've been in, but I never really paid attention. I never did the Stations; that was only for very pious people (ie. not me! :-)). I had never taken the time to reflect on what relevance they could ever have for me. Until today, that is.

As we slowly ascended the mountain, embraced by the scent of pine and the songs of the cicada, I took the time to stop at each Station. The Stations are illustrated with beautiful mosaics, approximately 2' x 3' and they tell a story without using words. This was how the teachings were passed on to the illiterate masses of the faithful in the past. Today, hundreds of years after they were created, these simple images broke through my learned ego-mind and reached my heart. It quickly became clear to me that the individual Stations of the Via della Croce (Way of the Cross) represented incidents and learnings from my own life. It is the story of falling, and getting up... of falling, and getting up... of recognizing & accepting help from those along my path... of accepting life on life's terms... of seeking to be of comfort to others even in times of personal trial... of falling, and getting up... of absolute surrender... of trusting that dark place where Faith is called to live...

I experienced the Via della Croce as a cycle that tells the story of Life. I experienced the Via della Croce as a cycle that tells the story of MY life.

It's amazing the gifts I received when I remain open... If I haven't said it enough yet, my gratitude is overflowing!

Until next time...
Pace e bene,