Abbey Mt. Oliveto Maggiori is a Benedictine monastery with a long, long history. As I mentioned in the previous post, the cloister walls depict scenes from the life of St. Benedict.

The abbey chapel has traditional art. However, more modern depictions both of Biblical scenes as the life of St. Benedict can be found there and elsewhere.

Benedict’s “Ore and Labora” or “Prayer and Work”, and study, formed and forms the pattern of life here. The monks gather seven times for prayer besides their own time for private prayer. Since the monks try to be a self-sustaining community, the monks do much of the work. In providing for the basics, the monks prepare food and keep the monastery clean.

As I mentioned in previous post, they have turned fruit into jams and grapes. Their vineyards produce wine.

They have copied and restored medieval manuscripts. They maintain the tomb of Bernadette and their fellow brother monks.

The monks don’t keep to their cells. While not frequent, I see them either talking with visitors or with their fellow monks.

The Abbey has found and maintained a tranquil environment. I could have stayed for several more days!