It is great to be back in the thick of parish life and back at the desk writing to our newsletter subscribers.  I am aware that we have a diversity of readers across our parishes and beyond.  Thanks for your continuing support of our newsletter and of what we do here across the Parishes of Camberwell, Balwyn Deepdene and Surrey Hills Wattle Park.  I had a very positive and renewing sabbatical time.  I have come back refreshed and rejuvenated.

Everyone has been asking me, ‘what was the highlight of your sabbatical?’  Without a doubt, I would have to say that walking the Via Francesco, (the way of St Francis) from Assisi to Rome, was the highlight.  The walk encompassed fifteen days and 280 kms and included passing through the Apennine Mountains in Umbria, from the birth place of St Francis to St Peter’s Basilica in Rome, where Francis himself visited a number of times.  Walking, (the dominant means of transport prior to trains, planes and automobiles), has a lot to be commended.  There is something about walking that brings us closer to the environment around us.

From high in the mountains you can see and hear the trickling of water that grows into small streams and then larger waterways, until a few days later you are walking along the beginnings of the rivers that will eventually make their way to the sea.  Those rivers become the life blood of small communities and the seed bed of larger cities.  And the daily quenching of thirst with this water, which is a gift of the earth, brings home how precious and fundamental water is to the life of the world.  Along the way where St Francis had passed, you could stop and read and meditate on his words “Be praised, My Lord, through Sister Water; she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.”  In St. Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of the Creatures, he praises God for “Sister Water, which is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.”  He sees water as his “sister” because he believes God did not set humans over creation but as part of it, as stewards of it.

Mid way through the walk in the Valley of Rieti, outside the town of Rivodutri, is a forest where it is said that Francis sheltered from a storm.  Here in the forest you can visit the famous Beech tree that spread its branches to cover and protect the medieval saint on his journey.  The same tree, now hundreds of years old, still stands with outstretched arms offering shade and shelter.  It too, reminds us of the organic relationship between human beings and the natural world.  It made me more appreciative of the forests of the world which still give us air to breath and protect us today.

As well as mountains, waters and trees the Way of St Francis also passes through many of the small convents and houses where Francis stayed or established communities.  These are so often found in isolated places.  They invite withdrawal and contemplation.  They are also an insight into the aesthetic to which Francis attracted his followers.  There is a certain rawness and vulnerability about them.  Not too many comforts.  Small cave-like cells, sack-like clothing and living off the land.  Relying on a good harvest, natural rains and sun.  It reminded me of the thousands of farmers and agricultural workers who assist in feeding the world today.

And amidst this Franciscan back drop the communities of Umbria and Lazio continue to live today.  These are olive growing areas and the entire walk is accompanied with valleys of olive trees.  Beside the olive trees grow wild fennel and other local flora and herbs.  It is wine country too and vineyards are never far from the horizon.  Local communities continue to offer hospitality to travellers.  They delight in serving locally inspired dishes, using the produce from the land they have worked.

The Way of St Francis connected to me on many levels.  Like any of these experiences, the challenge in the coming months is to integrate the experiences and insights into daily life.  By sharing some of these experiences, that can happen.  So, perhaps you can expect some more reflections over the coming weeks!

Happy Advent

By Fr Brendan

Published: 8 December 2023