Tag: Saints

Palermo’s big night: the festival of Saint Rosalia

June 27, 2017

During an English lesson in Rome, a student of mine from Palermo was the first to tell me about the patron saint of his town: Saint Rosalia. He explained the story of the “Santuzza” or “Little Saint”, who went to live as a hermit in a cave on Mount Pellegrino, near to the Sicilian capital. … More Palermo’s big night: the festival of Saint Rosalia

Calabria in the footsteps of the poet Edward Lear: Stilo

August 8, 2016

I first read about Stilo in the English poet and landscape painter Edward Lear’s account of his journeys throughout Calabria in 1847, which brought him to this hilltop town. Lear, who is best known for his nonsense poems including “The Owl and the Pussycat” spent part of that year walking across this southern Italian region … More Calabria in the footsteps of the poet Edward Lear: Stilo

Watching the sun set from Monticchiello in Tuscany

March 9, 2016

On my Tuscan travels, I stopped for the evening in the medieval village of Monticchiello, where I was able to contemplate the surrounding landscape like a painting as the sun set. Perched on a hill in the Orcia valley, this small fortified town is an unspoilt jewel which offers stunning views of Pienza and the … More Watching the sun set from Monticchiello in Tuscany

A moment in the oratory of St. Catherine of the Night

November 21, 2015

I’ve always hoped to discover more about St. Catherine of Siena (1347-1380). I was drawn to her firstly because I share her name, but also because she was a strong woman, producing a lot of spiritual writing, not being afraid to speak her mind, and working hard to help the poor and sick. When I … More A moment in the oratory of St. Catherine of the Night