I snapped this photo while in Italy this summer, This is St Francis of Assisi, the patron Saint for the protection of animals. He was a lover of all creation and a champion of justice. I think it’s so beautiful.

It was day 7 of my 14 day trip and my last night in Monterosso, part of Cinque Terre (meaning the 5 towns) After so many full days I told my husband to rest for a bit, I was going to walk over and make a reservation at the restaurant that was recommended to us, the restaurant was built inside a cave by the sea, I can’t remember the name but it was perfect and cozy.

On my walk back,  I came across a set of stairs we had passed earlier in the day. We wondered what was up there and contemplated going up but instead we kept walking. I figured I might as well go up, I could use the exercise. I can’t even begin to explain the copious amounts of pasta and wine I had been consuming. Being Vegan in Italy limits your options, not that I’m complaining, it was some of the most delicious pasta I have ever eaten.  I was up for the challenge!

After what seemed like a never-ending destination to the top, to my delight there stood St Francis, it was the dog that grabbed my attention for further inspection. After visiting so many churches, monuments and cathedrals all the statues seemed to look the same as the next, but none of them seemed as beautiful as St Francis and his dog.

I couldn’t stop thinking about my fundraiser (Gimme Shelter)  I had 2 weeks to figure out all of the last minute details when I arrived back in Vancouver.  7 months worth of work, how could I have worked so hard to have left so much unfinished before I left.

Sitting under St Francis gave me a sense of peace, I believe it was a message.  For whatever reason I felt very calm. I think the universe was trying to tell me  I was on the right path, I needed to stop worrying and It was time to start focusing on relaxing into my trip! This event was going to be just fine, it would figure itself out.

With my newly found peace of mind I stayed sitting underneath St Francis for about hour, all while enjoying the view of the ocean and the quietness of the space. The universe sends us signs when we need them, we just have to learn how to interpret them and have the openness to accept them.

PS: The event was a huge success!

If you have men who will exclude any of God’s creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow-men.  ~St. Francis of Assisi