ROCCAMORICE - SAN BARTOLOMEO One evening after dinner our cousin Gabriele and his family took my sister Irma, nephew Mark and me to the hermitage of St. Bartholomeo in Ligio. The cavern is located in the hills of the Maiella Mountains in the Abruzzo Region where our family lives. The hermitage is extremely old and dates back to before the 1200’s and the first hermits on Maiella and stands under a 50 meter long rocky ledge that is built directly into the face of the mountain and which can be reached by a sacred staircase, usually done on one’s knees. This beautiful refuge is very remote, steep, and not easily accessible and is approximately 750 feet above sea level. The heights were dizzying, the fresh mountain air intoxicating with the sweetness of wild herbs and flowers and the myriad of vistas absolutely breathtaking. While standing on the ledge of the hermitage looking at the amazing work of the Lord’s hands I felt so very blessed and so very close to heaven