Abbey of Saint Scholastica, Subiaco
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The Abbey of Saint Scholastica, also known as Subiaco Abbey (
St. Scholastica's Abbey today is part of the Subiaco Congregation, a grouping of 64 male Benedictine monasteries on five continents, to which 45 female monasteries also belong, within the larger Benedictine Confederation.[1]
History
In the early 6th century Benedict of
In the 9th century, St. Scholastica's Abbey was twice destroyed by the
As for monastic establishments throughout Europe, the 11th and 12th centuries were a golden age for the abbey, when it boasted vast lands, a large number of monks, and elaborate, ornate liturgy. With economic power came political power as well. In the thirteenth century, a sanctuary was erected over the cave where St. Benedict had dwelt, the Sacro Speco or "Holy Cave".
Riches also brought covetousness, and the abbey's prestige brought it enemies. Long power struggles with the feudal establishment weakened the abbey, and decadence set in when
The tide began to turn in 1753, when
Description
The monastic community today is made up of nineteen monks living at two sites: most are resident at St. Scholastica's Abbey proper, while a small contingent resides at the Sacro Speco (Holy Cave), the shrine at St. Benedict's hermitage.[2]
St. Scholastica's Abbey
The buildings are arranged around three
The abbey church is a
St. Benedict's Cave (Sacro Speco)
Located a few kilometers from the abbey proper, the ancient shrine is attached to the side of the mountain, its structure supported by nine high arcades. It can be visited in part by pilgrims and other visitors.
The interior is an extensive complex of small cells, and chapels—including one over St. Benedict's own hermitage, others hewn from the
Among the frescoes is a representation of Saint Francis of Assisi, the oldest known portrait of the saint in existence, executed in his lifetime, during the period he spent in retreat at Subiaco (1223–1224). It is noteworthy that Francis is depicted without the stigmata and without a halo.
Territorial status
The canonical status of "abbey nullius", or in modern terminology "
References
- ^ "Organization and Function".
- ^ Catalogus Monasteriorum O.S.B. (SS. Patriarchae Benedicti Familiae Confoederatae: Curia dell'Abate Primate, Editio XXII 2015).
- ^ Cf. decree Venerabilis Abbatia Sublacensis, Acta Apostolicae Sedis 94 (2002), pp. 761-763.
External links
- Official website(in Italian)
- Subiaco's Monasteries Guide (in English)