Monte Cassino

The Amalfi Coast Expedition, Part IV. (Being the Final Part) (Really)

So even the best weekends come to a close. After our Sunday Mass celebration with the community of Saint Margaret's, we got ready to head back to Rome.

On the return we crossed the same path the Allies had.

Hopefully Monte Cassino fared a little better at our hands than it did during the war: the Nazis had dug in on the hill where St. Benedict had built his monastery in the 500's, and Allied aircraft bombed the entire hill to smithereens (technical military term).













It's a little more peaceful now.


Right after war the monastery was rebuilt in its classical style.
















'Ora et Labora' Pray and Work
Benedictine Motto


In the crypt of the beautful church Saint Benedict is buried with his sister Saint Scholastica.













Benedict amongst the mosaics.


And on the other side,













Saint Scholastica


We were able to join the monks for evening prayer, bringing a full weekend to a prayerful end. Now to look for an opportunity when we can get back down there again . . .