If you had the chance to visit Italy where would you go? Venice? You could spend time paddling the canals in a gondola enjoying a prosecco; a particularly popular type of bubbly that hails from the nearby countryside. Or Rome? In the region of Lazio (just like the Italian football team) it’s filled with antiquity and culture, and you even get a Pope included! Perchance Florence, where there’s art and beauty and hey…it’s in Tuscany…everybody loves Tuscany. As someone whose heritage is derived from this history drenched land; a land of old churches and fine food, fast cars and high fashion, where everything seems to have a dash of style and a pinch of chaos, my choice would be Gubbio.
Yes, Gubbio (the “u” is pronounced like the “oo” in cook) an unassuming little town in the region of Umbria (same “u” as before) in central Italy. Sitting on the side of Mount Ingino, this magnificent medieval jewel is famous for its Roman ruins, its beautiful Piazza Grande (literally translates to “big piazza”) and block after block of picturesque Romanesque and Gothic architecture. But seriously, why you might ask, Gubbio? Well…there’s the wolf…The Wolf of Gubbio.
The story is told of a fearsome beast that terrorised the local community. It would attack livestock, destroy flocks and herds and posed a threat to the townspeople. Attempt after attempt had been made to deal with the creature and failed. The people lived in fear.
Just as all seemed lost, the spotlight came on and illuminated, St Francis, 13th Century Saint, devout Christian and founder of the Franciscan Friars. Medieval superhero and all-round good guy, he was known for his deep love of nature and animals. Upon hearing of the wolf's rampage, St Francis felt compelled to do something to help the people, and appropriately enough, the wolf. He went to Gubbio to face the monster.
Upon arriving, Francis sought out the brute, and in the nearby woods where it was said to dwell, he quite reasonably found it. In what could have been a violent confrontation however, instead of reacting with aggression, Francis approached the wolf with gentility and calm. He spoke to the wolf as if it were a fellow creature of God. To the astonishment of everyone present, the wolf listened, understood and learned.
In an extraordinary act, St Francis proposed that if the wolf ceased its attacks, the people of Gubbio would provide it with food and care for the rest of its life. Offering its paw, the wolf acquiesced, and they all lived happily ever after.
This week sadly, we lost another important Francis, Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor of the Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, and Sovereign of the State of Vatican City; Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Pope Francis. His adoption of the values of St Francis of Assisi made him a radical leader. Focused on humility, peace, and care for the marginalised, Pope Francis signalled a break from papal tradition, championing environmentalism and interfaith dialogue, reinvigorating a Church “of the poor for the poor.” His leadership emphasised mercy over judgment and action over doctrine; his legacy, a more compassionate, courageous and inclusive Church.
The story of The Wolf of Gubbio tells of taming a feared beast through understanding and peace, not violence. Similarly, Pope Francis approached a world of conflict and fear not with condemnation, but with dialogue and empathy. Like St Francis, he sought reconciliation where others saw enemies. His papacy echoed that moment in Gubbio, showing that even the fiercest problems could be tamed through compassion and humility. Both men replaced fear with fraternity and mutual respect.
What then do Pope Francis, St Francis and The Wolf of Gubbio have to do with St Edmund’s? Well, for us here on the Hill we have our wolves, our Wolf Pack, our Eddies Men. As young people they can be impetuous and prone to causing havoc. In the unbridled enthusiasm of adolescence, where impulsiveness and lack of forethought are common, they can be fearsome (anyone who has faced a pack of righteously hungry Eddies Men making a bee line for the Tuckshop at the beginning of break time will know this fear). Yet, if engaged, if they are approached with love and respect, they will listen and they will learn.
Young wolves come in many colours with different talents and varied challenges. Some are strong, some quiet, some driven and motivated; there will be those who bear their teeth and those who are simply happy to sit and let the world pass by. Ideally, the Eddies Team is here so these young wolves can achieve their best outcomes. We support them, we challenge them; they will smile and they will argue, but in all things, as parents and caregivers, as teachers and mentors, as a Catholic Community focused on education, we, like St Francis and Pope Francis must approach them with respect and love so they can listen, learn and become the best they can be; living humbly, simply and making a difference.
ANZAC Day
Today we gathered to honour the ANZAC tradition. Commencing with a special "Gunfire Breakfast"; students, staff and families shared a simple meal of traditional Eddies sausages in bread and ANZAC biscuits, reflecting the humble breakfast of soldiers before battle. This was followed by our College ANZAC service to remember those who served.
I extend my sincere gratitude to Major Gavin Carter for his moving address, connecting our young men to the true meaning of service and sacrifice.
I remind all of our Eddies families that the St Edmund’s Old Boys Association will host a morning service tomorrow Friday 25 April, at the Woodend Cenotaph commencing at 6:30am. St Edmund’s will also proudly participate in the ANZAC March. We will be assembling in front of the Edmund Rice Building at 10:00am in full school uniform.
Lest we forget.
