The Augustinian Friars in Britain
Our Hearts are Restless until they Rest in You, Lord
Group visit the Augustinian Convento in San Gimignano, Tuscany, Italy.
Italy calling!
To spend one week in glorious Italy! But where?
Set amidst the Tuscan hills, within the northern half of Italy, lies the picturesque town of San Gimignano.
It sits majestically on top of a hill, its mediaeval walls and numerous tall towers visible from across the surrounding valleys for miles around. Vineyards, interrupted with olive groves and fields of sunflowers, form a vivid backdrop.
In this idyllic place, the Austin Friars maintain a Community at the Convento San Agostino. For the eight of us who travelled there, all from disparate parts of the UK, this was to become our home for a memorable week in August. The warm welcome from our hosts, the friars, quickly made us feel part of their family.
Each morning was heralded by the peel of bells from the chapel, calling the Community to prayer. The sun would rise, and then, unlike the UK, stay there all day - a welcome change! Gelato and granita were soon discovered as the means of staying cool in the heat; that was our excuse, and we stuck to it!
The days were full, regardless of whether we remained at the Convento, explored the local streets and countryside, or travelled further afield. The shared experiences, and mutual enjoyment of whatever we did, engendered a great sense of fun and camaraderie within our group. Even when meal time tasks presented themselves, a common sense of willing still prevailed: everyone readily helped out where they could.
A fundamental part of our daily experience at the Convento was prayer, and a more conscious awareness of a religious outlook on life. The culmination of the stay was certainly the trip to the Augustinian sisters at Leccetto, led by one of the San Gimignano friars, Fr. Ian. The peaceful surrounding there provided the space for prayer, discussion and reflection.
Looking back on our time at San Gimignano, the real reward of the trip was that it provided the opportunity for eight strangers to get to know and understand one another in a Christian context. Not often do you get the chance to stand back from your daily life, interests, and worries and share time with like minded individuals. The Convento at San Gimignano was central to that experience: it nurtured the mind set. The openness and warmth of welcome that we received there was memorable. Nevertheless, we were pretty lucky with the group of people on the trip too. Everyone got on - age was no barrier!
Eight strangers arrived; eight friends left. Becky, as the instigator of this successful trip should be proud!
Paul