Okay - three of the most beautiful towns in France - Annecy, Lalouvesc and Avignon. We woke up in Annecy and drove over to venerate St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal. Annecy is gorgeous sitting at the base of the Alps and on a lake, and the Basilica is powerful with two strong well-known saints. We then made a three hour drive up into the mountains to Lalouvesc to visit the Basilica of St. John Francis Regis, our parish patron saint. Fr Ray believes that only two other parishioners in the history of the parish have visited Lalouvesc. It's the only stop on the pilgrimage that is new for every single person, including our bus driver and tour guide. Our bus driver decided that he wants to move to Lalouvesc. Everyone else wants to either move there as well or return to spend considerable more time. The Jesuit priest who welcomed us made fast friends with Fr. Ray. We could tell from the location and size of the town and handful of moving cars we saw while there that pilgrims visiting the Basilica are few and far between. Buses can't make it up the mountain in the winter and it's very much off the beaten path. In addition to quickly falling in love with the town and the view, we loved the Basilica and celebrated Mass on an altar in front of St.John Francis Regis' remains. After finishing in Lalouvesc, we made the two and half hour drive to Avignon where we enjoyed a guided tour of Pope's Palace and Pont Du Gard in the city center before reaching the hotel for dinner and check-in. In addition to the three gorgeous town and powerful saints today, the weather could not be topped - sunny, low 70s with an occasional gentle breeze.
Lalouvesc and St. John Francis Regis!
Avignon
No comments:
Post a Comment