It had been many years since I visited Holy Hill – Basilica and National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians – located in a picturesque 435 acres of the Kettle Moraine forest. October with the changing colors is one of the most popular months to visit.

While I set out yesterday on what I deemed a solo pilgrimage I had to chuckle after I arrived at the top of the steep and winding drive to see a whole parking lot of cars and three buses. I was certainly not going to be alone.

But alone I was with my thoughts and why I was there. However, I couldn’t quite say why I’d felt this nudging for the last few weeks to make the trek which is about seventy-five minutes from where I live. 

I don’t identify with any one religion, yet enjoy being open to many and what I can learn, understand, discover, and take into my being as beneficial to my spiritual self.

The grounds at Holy Hill, though many people were roaming around, are peaceful. High on the hill, 1,300 feet above sea level, stands the neo-Romanesque church built in 1926. Below is a photo of it in the full splendid colors of Fall. I don’t know who to credit for the photo, but I do know many a photographer has captured its beauty in all the seasons and elements of weather.

To reach the church it’s 178 steps or by elevator for those not able to make the climb on foot. I chose to walk it only to discover that mass was being held. Because I wanted to go inside the church and the chapel, I waited until mass was over, but this time I chose the elevator to make my second trip to the top.

Before lunch at the cafeteria-style cafe, and before my second trip up to the church, I visited the gift shop. Little did I know the discovery I was about to make.

I gravitated first to the books as I’d been wanting a copy of The Little Flowers of St. Francis of Assisi, where I found a faux leather copy. Like many, I’ve long admired St. Francis and his love of animals, but have been wanting to know more about him and his life.

I then moved toward the section that displays statues of many different saints. As I got closer I spotted a St. Francis statue and what appeared to be a dog with him. But upon closer inspection, I realized it was a wolf Francis was affectionately communing with.

My eyes filled with tears. While there were many people roaming around the gift shop, at that moment it was as if it was just me as I zeroed in on that statue. Though I still wasn’t one hundred percent sure this was a wolf, I felt likely it was, and I just knew I had to have it. I’ve often written about my connection with a white wolf here on my blog and in my latest book and one who is one of my animal spirit guides.

After purchasing the statue which was the last one in stock, I walked the grounds once again, and as I did, I wondered if there was a story about St. Francis and the wolf. But that would have to wait until I arrived home to do a search on the internet. And before I share what I discovered, here are some photos I captured from Holy Hill that I thought you might enjoy. 

Once home I took to my computer to see if there was something more to St. Francis and the wolf. I had no idea that this is one of the greatest legends associated with the life of St. Francis!

In short, St. Francis goes to the Italian city of Gubbio where a wolf had been scaring the village and sometimes killing people and animals. Francis decides to go out to meet the wolf. Upon encountering him, the wolf bares his teeth and charges toward Francis. But Francis immediately makes the sign of the cross and says to the wolf, or as he saw all animals as brother and sister, says, “Come here Brother Wolf.”

The article, St. Francis and the Taming of the Wolf, from Franciscan Spirit goes on to say this:

“Francis tells the wolf gently. “But I want to make peace between you and the people. And so I promise that I will have food given to you regularly, Brother Wolf, by the people of this town so that you will no longer suffer hunger. And I want you, Brother Wolf, to promise that you will never harm any human person or animal.” The wolf showed agreement by simply bowing his head.

And so Francis asks the people of the town if they will promise to provide food for wolf regularly. They all say they will. Finally, St. Francis asks the wolf to give a guarantee in front of all of the people that he will no longer inflict harm upon the people of Gubbio or its animals.”

“Then the wolf, lifting his right paw, placed it in the hand of St. Francis. Because of this action…there was such rejoicing and wonder among all the people…that they all began to cry to heaven, praising and blessing God who sent Francis to them who, through his merits, had freed them from the jaws of the cruel beast.”

“Afterwards that same wolf lived in Gubbio for two years, and he tamely entered the houses, going from door to door, without doing any harm to anyone and without any being done to him; and he was kindly fed by the people….Finally, after two years Brother Wolf died of old age, at which the citizens grieved very much.”

I was so moved by this story as it shows so beautifully how we can live in harmony with the animal world, instead of living in fear and making the wolf out to be “bad,” or any other animal we hold fear about.

While it remains a myth or legend, I think there is much to take from it. For me, I feel a deeper connection to St. Francis because of my own encounter with wolf during a time of emotional turmoil and how wolf came to comfort me during a guided visualization and lay at my feet after I let go of my fear.

Wolf is also the cover of my upcoming Animal Reflections Healing Oracle deck. And before I’d left for my trek to Holy Hill I received yet another notice from the printing company that there is still an issue with the file I’d submitted to have the box designed for the cards.

Part of the challenge is the company is overseas so there is a language barrier of understanding on both our parts which has caused some challenges. But having read the story of St. Francis and Wolf I’m being reminded that the language of the heart is the same no matter the language we speak. So I trust in time this issue will get resolved.

Lastly, another interesting note to this story is an article by Bethanne Patrick and the last paragraph which says:

“Whether or not the story is real or apocryphal, at Gubbio’s Church of Saint Francis of Peace, in 1872 during renovations, the centuries-old skeleton of a large wolf was discovered outside near the foundations. The people of Gubbio chose to give these remains a burial inside the church. As St. Francis wished, Brother Wolf of Gubbio rests in peace.”

While I still ponder if there is more for me with this story I’d not known of before, perhaps it is St. Francis and Wolf who were the ones nudging my spirit to make the visit to Holy Hill. And when I think about that it surely resonates and makes my heart smile. And I feel deepened in my love of animals and better for the pilgrimage I made that lifted my spirits.

XO

Barb