The Jesus Garden is an ancient small oasis with vegetation and a beautiful stream. In this garden you will see a huge cross structure, a place to meditate, and stand in awe at both the simplicity and enormity of Gods creation, nature. It is our hope that upon entering "The Jesus Garden", one can find nutrition, both for the body and more so for the soul. This land means so much to the Ursino Famil
y and is a reminder of Frank and Nina Ursino's legacy and Italian origin prior to their transatlantic voyage with their 4 children and family to America in search for work. Nina loved her Calabria, especially her village of Montepaone, and it was truly painful to leave her homeland. She would visit as often as she could, and would spend at least two months every summer visiting Montepaone with her children and grandchildren. In 1995, Nina battled Leukemia with courage and strength, but more importantly her Faith in God. The night of Nina's passing, she had a dream, a vivid dream of Jesus. She described sitting on a boulder in the land of Medjugorje and saw Jesus walking towards her with the cross of cross mountain (Krizevac) behind Him. Jesus then laid His hand on her forehead. She described him as being beautiful. Jesus said to her, “Nina, I will heal you,” and she said that she felt wonderful. While she was explaining her dream, Nina’s health was quickly declining minute by minute. At that very moment, Nina’s children promised her that they would build a replica of the cross of Medjugorje for all those passing to see and believe. In 1998, shortly after her husband Frank Ursino’s passing from colon cancer, as promised, the replica of the cross of Medjugorje was erected on the Ursinos’ land of Frandonisa now known as The Jesus Garden at Frandonisa. Shortly after, one of Nina’s daughters had a dream that Nina came to her telling her how much she loved the cross and said, “you must plant rambling yellow roses all against the wall behind the cross.”
And so, here we are today. Before passing to the other side, Nina was blessed to foresee this plan before our human eyes could even realize it. And now, this meditation garden has come to life and is a reality here on this land in this little town of Montepaone, Calabria.
