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Scaffolding rises on the bell tower -- which is nearing completion -- of the 16th-century church currently under restoration at the Monastero di San Benedetto in Monte. This view overlooks the town of Norcia and the Valley of St. Scholastica. From this place, the monks keep close in prayer the people of Italy and the whole world, currently suffering the spread of the coronavirus.   In these past weeks, the wisdom enshrined in the Church’s traditional calendar has been on full display. With the Magi’s silent, prostrate adoration before the Christ child still fresh in our minds, we swiftly entered the time of Septuagesima -- those three weeks that prepare us for the holy season of Lent.
Mindful that preparation must also be practical if is to be useful, in this newsletter we share a few tips for Lent from the monastery’s kitchen master. We also list a few specific opportunities to sponsor furnishings for the new church. And, since God has blessed the monastery with new European vocations this year, we’ve added excerpts from an interview with our German monks. We are grateful for all you do to help us in our mission as monks and hope that this newsletter inspires you to prepare well for the joys of Easter. We also ask you to join us in prayer for those who have died with coronavirus, for those who are sick and for the Lord to protect and keep us always in His mercy. Click here to continue reading. Preparing the foundation for the main monastery building adjacent to the 16th-century church.  Workers install the steel support structure for the arches between the nave and side chapels of the historic stone church.  Dear Friends and Family, The prophet Hosea gives us this warning: “The children of Israel shall sit many days without king, and without prince, and without sacrifice and without altar.” To be able to sacrifice – to make offerings – to God is a great privilege. It is only possible because He first made the greatest sacrifice of all, that of His only begotten Son. Left to our own resources, we have nothing to offer Him. The holy season of Advent, then, calls us to make sacrifices and do penance in preparation for His coming. His gifts help us to receive the newborn Child worthily at Christmas. ... To continue reading Fr. Prior's letter and other news about bell, incense and candle making, as well as construction updates, click here.  Workers begin repairing window of the facade of the historic stone church.  Workers pour foundation-reinforcing cement into the base of the monastery's historic stone church.  Workers begin work of fortifying the side chapels of the 16th-century, former Capuchin stone church that will be the future permanent church of the monastery.  Operai mentre stendono lo strato finale di stucco tra le pietre del muro di sostegno sul lato del monte.  Dear Friends and Family, ... This edition of the newsletter brings with it news of many activities: the missionary work of Fr. Cassian, a monk’s construction of a shrine, monk-led educational seminars for locals in Norcia and new shipping methods to get Birra Nursia to your door at lower costs. The prize promised to the Mary of the Assumption Gospel, which is the Virgin’s prize, can at least in part be ours also if in all our activity we remember the Unum Necessarium, which is His gift to us and not ours to Him. ... Click here to continue reading the monastery's newsletter.  |
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