Community Gita

Well, it's that time of year again.  Classes start (finally) on Monday (yes, that would be October 6.)  Rome is on its own schedule!  So, as one last hurrah, the Seminary Community took a "gita" (like a field trip) to Monte Cassino and Casamari.  Now, some of you might be thinking, "Didn't Bob go to Monte Cassino already?"  The answer is "yes."  But it's always good for a refresher after a few years.  So, here goes...

Montecassino is the sight where St. Benedict founded a monastery around the year 529.  He is considered the Father of Western Monasticism, and his Rule of Life has been guiding religious orders for nearly 1500 years.  (Fr. Chaminade based the Marianist Rule of Life on Benedict's!)  Unfortunately, the site has had some problems...sacked by the Lombards, then the Saracens, destroyed by an earthquake, attacked by Napoleon, and bombed by the Allies during World War II (using bad information, they thought the German army had sought refuge there.  However, it was really the monks and townspeople.)  But after each catastrophe, the monks have rebuilt the abbey.  Today, it is a replication of what was there before WWII.  So, here's some pictures from the day.

The Basilica at the Monastery

The inside of the Basilica - very Baroque.  The tombs of St. Benedict and his sister St. Scholastica are in the main altar.

We had mass in a crypt chapel under the main altar, where the tombs of St. Benedict St. Scholastica were originally placed.

Inside of the Basilica

What is thought to be St. Benedict's room.  He probably finished writing his Rule of Life here.  I really like this room.

"Monte" means "mount."  As we were driving up, we got above the fog.

The view of the modern city of Cassino.

At the monastery garden.

Part of the cloister.

Heading up to the monastery and basilica.

Monastery in the background.

The Polish Cemetery from World War II.  Over 1000 Polish soldiers are buried here.

A statue commemorating the death of St. Benedict, probably in this spot.

St. Scholastica

The box that originally contained the bones of the two saints.

The present day tomb of St. Benedict and St. Scholastica

Then we headed off to Casamari to a Cistercian Abbey.  They are the same group that is found in Kentucky at Gethsemane Abbey.  Also, the don't talk much, and they pray at all hours of the day (including 3 in the morning!)  The foundation of this Abbey dates from the 11th century.  We listened to the monks chant "Nones" (prayer in the afternoon) and then had a tour from the Abbot.  Hope you enjoy these pictures.

The inside of the church - very different from Monte Cassino

The outside of the church.

You can find ruins everywhere.

The parish festival is this weekend, so the piazza was decorated.

Inside the cloister.

The monks' refectory (dining hall)

Doorway leading into the cloister.

The monastery library.

Bro. Armando trying out the monks' technology.

Window of St. Robert of Molesme, one of the Cistercian founders.

Ciao!