5 o’clock on a Wednesday morning in the middle of May saw a group of sleepy pilgrims on their way to southern Italy.  Nine of the SPEC community embarked on a 5 day retreat to the monastic community of Vallechiara (meaning ‘clear valley’), a community of religious brothers and sisters and lay people, all committed to living the Gospel through working the land organically as well as through prayer, under the guidance of their abbot, Fr Tarcisio. 

The community warmly welcomes all who wish to experience their way of life, and we were fortunate to be able to be part of it.  Days began with early prayer and four hours in the fields (which actually was very pleasant, particularly where the strawberries were involved).  The gospel was shared and reflected upon each day, and Mass was celebrated every evening.  One beautiful day was spent in Rome, taking in the awe-inspiring St Peter’s Basilica, the ancient Pantheon, Trevi fountain, and large amounts of coffee and ice cream.  The highlight, however, was probably being able to celebrate with the community in the ordination of two of their deacons into the priesthood. 

Our little group found a great deal of peace and joy (and beautiful warm sunshine) in those few days, not least in our times of sharing Scripture and prayer.  Few places exist where one is able to feel that the gospel is being truly lived in the most real and practical sense.  Vallechiara is one of those places.