San Miniato — Oct 5

We walked extra a long distance yesterday, so that, after walking in the morning, we could spend half a day in San Miniato. It’s our first Tuscan hill-top town. We arrived by noon and were able to visit the cathedral and other churches, including San Francesco, founded or established (depending on which guide you read) by St. Francis, himself, As you probably recall St Junipero Serra was a Franciscan. 

For the first time in either of our lives we tried truffles, mine on risotto. its a very pleasant taste, which we both enjoyed while wondering if it was worth the cost. 

Next to the cathedral was an art museum of spectacular paintings that had been assembled from churches in the diocese that couldn’t restore or maintain them —most were quite beautiful and a few were positively ancient l. It’s a hallmark of our Catholic faith that we have tried, throughout the ages up to the present day, to make our churches beautiful, and to adorn them with lovely art, to lift up our spirits, enabling us in a sacred place, to be particularly aware of  God, who is with us in every place.

1 Kings 6:11–13: The word of the Lord came to Solomon: As to this house you are building—if you walk in my statutes, carry out my ordinances, and observe all my commands, walking in them, I will fulfill toward you my word which I spoke to David your father. I will dwell in the midst of the Israelites and will not forsake my people Israel.

Just today Fr. Jim and I made it through the entire list of your prayers, and ours. We will start again tomorrow.