Day 11
Friday, July 3, 2015

After an early morning Mass, we boarded the bus and headed to Ostia on the Tiber.  There we saw an outstanding excavation of an ancient Roman city dating back to the 4th century before Christ.  Ostia Antica was Rome's seaport and contained apartments, homes, warehouses, snack bars, malls, baths, a theater (which was renovated in 200 A. D.) and a temple to honor Jupiter.  What a lesson in perspective!  Speaking of perspective, Ostia is where St. Monica and her son, St. Augustine, discussed the eternal life and the surpassing glory of those who hope in God.  St. Monica died in Ostia a few days after this holy conversation and is remembered for saying, "Lay this body anywhere, but remember me at the altar of God."

Sister knows that here we have "no abiding city."

A courageous Sister is helping to preserve antiquity.

We are gathered near the sign which speaks of St. Monica.

Back on the bus we headed for Subiaco and enjoyed a picnic lunch at the Monastery of St. Scholastica.  We had Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and prayed the Divine Office with the monks before heading farther up the mountain to the Benedictine Monastery where Saint Benedict lived in a cave for three years. 

Resting after a rigorous climb!

A view of part of the Monastery which is built over the cave where St. Benedict lived for three years.  Here he taught the faith to local shepherds.

Singing in the rain!

On top of the world!

Brother guided us to read the artwork "with our hearts."

The beauty of the rugged mountainous region was amazing as was the monastery, the artwork, and the life of St. Benedict!