Feast of St. Francis of Assisi

I just could not let this day pass without honoring Saint Francis of Assisi in some way. What better way than to show a Franciscan!

The old Friar in the center is Fra Gerardo, a humble and happy little follower of the Poverello. We are in the garden of San Giovanni Rotondo (me on the right as a 3rd order postulant- another brother on the left whose name I have forgotten). Fra Gerardo's cell was next to mine. He had grown up with St. Padre Pio and lived with him for many years.  He always had a smile and a cheerful countenance with only good to say.  The picture was taken in 1974.