Norcia: A great loss for the Church

Last updated on: October 30, 2016 at 3:25 pm by Father Pablo Migone

Norcia: A great loss for the Church 2016-10-30T15:25:49-05:00 Father Pablo Migone

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I took this picture of the basilica in 2006. Now only the facade remains.

The first time I ever went camping it was in the countryside around the beautiful Italian town of Norcia. Along with my friend Jordan, we hiked from Norcia up through mountains to the beautiful Piano Grande, a vast plain surrounded by mountains and a beautiful small medieval town overlooking it, Castelluccio. During the spring, the Piano Grande is full of wild flowers, making it one of the most breathtaking places in Italy.

This morning the ground in Norcia shook significantly. The town has been struck by a series of earthquakes during these past few days, along with all central Italy. Unfortunately the earthquake this morning took a tremendous toll on the city. The Basilica of Saint Benedict, which stands on the place where this great saint was born, was destroyed.

Me in 2006 near Norcia

The Monastery of Saint Benedict in Norcia is significant for the whole church since it is here that Saint Benedict of Nursia, the founder of western monasticism, was born. It is also significant because in the late 1990s, Father Cassian Folsom founded the present monastery with a desire to be faithful to the Rule of Saint Benedict and focus on the beauty of the Church’s liturgy. Father Cassian, who serves as prior of the monastery, is highly respected in the liturgical life of the Church, and often speaks at liturgical conferences throughout the world. Having an American prior, the monastery had attracted many American men. One last significant fact of note of the monastery is that it brews its own beer: Birra Nursia. This beer was served during the last two Papal Conclaves in Rome.

The city hall of Norcia, also badly damaged by today’s earthquake

Thankfully there were no fatalities at the Monastery since the monks had already left it due to damage the structure received these past few days. This morning the monks reported, “The monks are all safe, but our hearts go immediately to those affected, and the priests of the monastery are searching for any who may need the Last Rites. The basilica is destroyed.”

This is a great historical and spiritual loss for the Church. Our hearts and prayers go out to all the citizens of Norcia.

Saint Benedict stands tall at the main square of Norcia, 2006

Uncategorized

Previous Post

October 29, 2016

Cruzando hacia el camino de la Paz

Next Post

November 1, 2016 Inspired to long for the company of the Saints

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Article Catholic Lima Christmas Commentary History Homily Immigration martyrs Meditation Pope Reflection Saint Story Uncategorized

Select a Month September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 January 2010 June 2009 September 2008 August 2008

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who prophesied the virgin birth?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Ezekiel Isaiah Jeremiah Daniel