On Friday 20th and Saturday 21st, Friars Ramon and Clive visited the Franciscan Sanctuary of Greccio, also known as the Franciscan Sanctuary of the Crib, for their monthly day of recollection, together with the other temporary professed in their fraternity and those of the Roman Province. This time, the reflection was on the Letter of St. Francis to all the Friars of the Order, which he wrote during the two year period before his death. The place itself, very typically Franciscan, and built in an area where the beauty of God’s creation can still be enjoyed, is of great help for reflection, prayer and meditation.

The Sanctuary of Greccio is indeed spectacular, located at 2000ft on a steep rock overlooking the “Holy Valley”, where St.Francis used to wander. We Franciscans counted many settlements throughout the valley in the 13th and 14th centuries, and are still present in Friaries which date back to our founder. Greccio however was the place where, in December 1223, about two years after he had visited Bethlehem, St. Francis organised the first living crib.

The Sanctuary today, consists of the Chapel of the Nativity, dug into the rock, the cell in which St.Francis slept and also the cell of St. Bonaventure amongst other. A 13th century small chapel and a small choir with wooden stalls are still well preserved. One may also find various cribs from all over the world on show, including one which represents Malta. A Church dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, was also built in the 1960’s.