Trip to Montecassino

Surviving Statue of St. Benedict

Overview to the countryside

Saturday, September 18, a number of us took the pilgrimage to Montecassino, the monastery of St. Benedict and the burial place for St. Scholastica.  The Benedictine sisters from St. Ben's at St. Joseph, MN taught me from 1st to 6th grade.  I remain in touch occasionally with Sr. Alice and Sr. Clare, who taught me in first, second and sixth grade.  Sr. Nathaniel, who passed away many years ago, not only taught me in fifth grade but helped me discover Christ with her kindness and holiness.  Later, I attended St. John University in Collegeville, MN.  My vocation to the priesthood was nurtured by these fine monks.  Attending evening prayer at the monastery of Montecassino returned memories of Sunday evening prayers with the monks of St. John's.  Furthermore, Glenmary seminarians now study at St. Meinrad, another Benedictine institution.

Therefore, this experience was one of gratitude for all the goodness the Benedictines have done in my life.  We had Mass in the lower crypt church where the remains of St. Benedict and St. Scholastica rest.  During this Mass, I offered it for all the Benedictines who have made my life holier and better.  I prayed in a special way for the monks of St. John's and St. Mienrad as well as the students who will be instructed by them.  I also gave praise for the Sisters of St. Ben's who taught me so much as a child and inspire me today.

The story of the monastery is a sad one.  Yet, the story of St. Benedict is full of miracle stories and a man of powerful faith.  Did you know that he was poisoned twice, but both times God intervened.  First with piece of bread, a raven came and snatched it away.  Later with a cup of wine, which broke when he prayed over it.  He returned a monk back to life who fell while fixing the church.  A dove visited him when his twin sister St. Scholastica died.  He foresaw the destruction of his monastery.  Now all of this might be legend or might be true.  Does it matter?  What is clear is that this was a very holy man dedicated totally to serving Christ.  He wrote the rule and is the inspiration for monastic life still today. 

Fresco in cell of St. Benedict

The monastery itself suffered.  It was destroyed four times.  The last time was during World War II where soldiers were thought to be in the monastery, so it was bombed.  No soldiers were inside, the monks and some civilians survived, but other civilians died.  The church has been rebuilt, brick by brick.  Yet, several things survived and are considered miracles.  The original area of the original church, including the cell of St. Benedict, a very old statue of St. Benedict, and the remains of St. Benedict and St. Scholastica all survived.  The last was the greatest miracle.  There was an unexploded bomb over the altar.  When they dug it out they found the true remains of these great saints preserved.  God is really amazing.



 The final action of our day was evening prayer sung in Latin by the monks at 4 p.m.  It was beautiful and inspiring.  It was easy to pray in such a location.  I returned to Casa O'Toole at the North American College full of joy and peace.