I attended a beautiful service at Westminster Abbey this afternoon, during which the 2011 Torch of St Benedict was lit and blessed before a packed congregation. The service was led by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Rev Dr John Hall, and the Archabbot of Monte Cassino, the Most Rev Pietro Vittorelli OSB. Young people from Italy presented and carried the Torch, and will now bear it all the way back to Monte Cassino in time for the Feast of St Benedict on 21 March.London was chosen to host the lighting of the Torch of St Benedict for the first time this year, following in the footsteps of many other great cities that have held the same honour. The Torch of St Benedict was first lit by Pope Paul VI in Rome in 1964 - the year St Benedict was proclaimed Patron of Europe. Since then, the ceremony has been hosted by various cities, including Cologne, Brussels, Jerusalem and New York (see here).
Today's service began with a Wreath Laying ceremony at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior. Many veterans from the 1944 Battle of Monte Cassino were present, as were several members of the Italian armed forces. Colonel David Blum OBE, National President of the Star of Italy Association (1943 - 1945), recited "They shall grow not old..." from Binyon's war poem, For the Fallen. Servicemen from the various nations that fought at Monte Cassino were remembered.The Sevice for the Blessing of the Benedictine Torch was attended by many abbots, abbesses, superiors, monks, nuns and oblates of the Order of St Benedict. Rt Rev Dom Timothy Wright of Ampleforth Abbey read the Gospel (Mt 5:1-16), whilst the Abbot of Monte Cassino gave one of two addresses after the Gospel - the other preacher being Rt Rev Stephen Platten, Bishop of Wakefield.
The Emeritus Bishop of Menevia, Rt Rev Mark Jabele OSB was also present, as were several monks from Italy and the UK. After the service I met a group of monastics, led by Rt Rev Dom Cuthbert Brogan of Farnborough Abbey (left).
The Emeritus Bishop of Menevia, Rt Rev Mark Jabele OSB was also present, as were several monks from Italy and the UK. After the service I met a group of monastics, led by Rt Rev Dom Cuthbert Brogan of Farnborough Abbey (left).Several dignitaries from the Church of England, the Catholic Church, the EU and Italy were also present at today's event. The Canons of Westminster Cathedral were all in attendance, too. Amongst the politicians present were the Vice President of European Commission, Antonio Tajani, the Ambassador of Italy in London, Alain Giorgio Maria Economides, the President of Region Lazio, Renata Polverini with the President of Regional Council Mario Abruzzese and the President of Province of Frosinone Antonello Iannarilli. The Lord Mayor of Westminster, Cllr Judith Warner, was also in attendance.
Bishop Stephen Patten presented St Benedict as a man who "defines Europe" during his homily. Without Benedict's Rule - the daily reading of which the bishop had introduced to Norwich Cathedral whilst he was Dean of Norwich - Europe would not have known the great cultural heights to which its civilisation had climbed
throughout history. The Bishop of Wakefield also paid attention to the usefulness of St Benedict's Rule when it comes to Catholic and Anglican relations.
throughout history. The Bishop of Wakefield also paid attention to the usefulness of St Benedict's Rule when it comes to Catholic and Anglican relations.Abbot Pietro Vittorelli also focussed on ecumenism in his address - using
St Benedict's Rule as a model for Christian unity. The abbot reflected on Benedict's insistence on "Ora et labora et lege" - work, prayer and study. Christians of differing traditions must and can pray together, said the abbot. Referring to Pope Benedict XVI, the Abbot of Monte Cassino said that "prayer must find us side by side." He also called upon Catholics and Anglicans to work together for the common good, and for justice and peace. By studying our faith together, Pietro Vittorelli suggested that Christians would naturally become more visibly united. In light of my earlier post (here) on the dispute that exists between Monte Cassino and Fleury regarding St Benedict's resting place, Abbot Vittorelli emphasised during his address that the Saint is buried at his monastery!
The Lighting of the Torch of St Benedict is quite an event in the Benedictine calendar, and it is a great privilege for the Christian community in London to host the Abbot of Monte Cassino and his monks during their time here. The Torch of St Benedict is a symbol of peace, hope and unity, and acts as a kind of "Olympic torch" for the annual Pilgrimage to Monte Cassino. This pilgrimage starts from the city where the Torch is lit, and the main celebrations happen in the great Abbey on 20 March - in time for St Benedict's feast and birthday into Heaven as it is kept in the Extraordinary Rite (on 21 March), and still observed in the Ordinary Rite by Benedictines.There will be a special Mass in Westminster Cathedral tomorrow morning at 10:30 am. It will be celebrated by Archbishop Vincent Nichols and the Archabbot of Monte Cassino. It is expected that most English abbots will be present at this Eucharist. Many veterans of the Battle of Monte Cassino will also be present. It sounds like an event not to be missed!
St Benedict: pray for us!
San Benedetto: prega per noi!
[Picture note: Top: Young Italian athletes holding the Torch of St Benedict outside Westminster Abbey. Middle right: Wreaths placed on the Grave of the Unknown Warrior before today's service. Middle left: The Dean of Westminster and the Archabbot of Monte Cassino processing out after the service - The Abbot of Farnborough is on the very left of the picture (with pectoral cross). Bottom right: Musicians from the Monte Cassino area, dressed in traditional costume, provide entertainment after the service, whilst also highlighting our European culture. Bottom left: The Blessing of the Benedictine Torch during today's service]
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