Honorable Ankie Broekers-Knol with the Italian Ambassador and mayors from Norcia, Subiaco and Cassino passing the Peace Torch of St. Benedict.
By Catherine Dailey.
As we look forward to the second weekend of September, when “National Monument Day” is observed throughout the Netherlands and more than four thousand monuments will be open to the public, it is a fitting time to reflect upon Europe’s common cultural heritage with respect to St. Benedict, the “heavenly patron saint of the whole of Europe.”
Pope Paul VI, on October 24, 1964, in his Apostolic Letter Pacis Nuntius proclaimed him as the principal patron of Europe and noted that “he inspired in the peoples of Europe that loving care of order and justice that forms the foundation of true society.” In this light, such a reflection is particularly fitting today. It should also be recalled that Pacis Nuntius was proclaimed on the occasion of the reconsecration of the Cathedral Basilica of Montecassino, following the tremendous destruction done to the Abbey at Montecassino, in 1944 and the Herculean task required to reconstruct it.
St. Benedict of Nurcia (ca. 480-ca 547), is the father of “western monasticism” and the author of the “The Rule,” a simple set of guidelines ordering how monks should live. He founded the Abbey at Montecassino and the Order of St. Benedict (OSB). Even though St. Benedict did not formerly establish the order as such, he is honored by the Benedictines as their as the founder and guide under the motto “Ora Et Labora” (“pray and work”).
This past spring, in a splendid ceremony held at the Church of Our Saviour in The Hague, on Friday, March 11, 2016, the “St. Benedict Torch of Peace” was brought to The Hague by the Embassy of Italy, under the patronage of the European Parliament, and on behalf of the towns of the three medieval towns of Cassino, Norcia and Subiaco.
The unique event marked the first time that the Torch has visited the Netherlands since Pope Paul VI’s proclamation in 1964. For readers of Italian, the Apostolic Letter Pacis Nuntius can be accessed on webpages of the official website of the Holy See. A digital version of an English translation was published, on Zenit, on July 11, 2012, the date that Europe remembers her patron Saint.
The evening program began with a Solemn Mass, concelebrated by H.E. Bishop of Rotterdam Monseigneur Johannes H.J. van den Hende and the Apostolic Nuncio H. E. Aldo Cavalli. Liturgical songs were performed by the choir accompanied by an orchestra from the towns of Norcia and Subiaco. Following the Mass, a short introduction was given by the Ambassador of Italy and the evening concluded with a 100 piece orchestra performing a concert of the Cantica de Santo Benedicto by the Dutch composer, Jacob de Haan, who was also present.
In addition to the Ambassador; mayors from Norcia, Subiaco and Cassino were present, in a visible and symbolic gesture of unity, to pass the Peace Torch of St. Benedict before a large assembly of diplomats, senior state functionaries, public officials, members of the clergy, academics and other specially invited guests.
Today, Norcia, the birthplace of St. Benedict, is the start of the 300 km “Cammino di San Benedetto”, the Umbrian cultural route along medieval towns and villages, which is becoming increasingly popular with tourists seeking cultural “slow tourism” experiences. The town is also linked the international “cittaslow” network, a concept for tourism development which originated in 1999 in the Chianti region of Italy.
The Cammino di San Benedetto is popular with walkers, cyclists and hikers and the autumn months are an especially good time to visit. Tourists visiting Rome can also easily make arrangements for a day trip to visit the Abbey of Montecassino known as the “lighthouse of western civilization.” Visit the official website of the Montecassino Abbey for more information to assist you with planing your visit.
Holy See:
Embassy of Italy:
http://www.amblaja.esteri.it/Ambasciata_LAja
Montecassino Abbey
http://abbaziamontecassino.org
Cammino di Benedetto (Italian)
http://www.camminodibenedetto.it
Cittaslow International Network
Open Monumenten Dag (September 10 and 11, 2016)
http://www.openmonumentendag.nl
Pictures by Jan van der Loos.
