Across central Italy
I visited the mountain monasteries of Norcia, Subiaco and Montecassino with Abbot Primate Jeremias Schröder, filming his conversations with the abbots and meeting the monks who continue St Benedict's way of life there today.
What made St Benedict so influential was his guide to living as a community, with the day balanced between prayer and work. That guide, known as the Rule of St Benedict, has been the foundation of Benedictine life for fifteen centuries.
I also filmed the Benedictine places of Rome: the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls, Santa Cecilia, San Benedetto in Piscinula and San Gregorio.
Of the four, the most memorable for me was San Benedetto in Piscinula. From the outside it's very unassuming, but as soon as you enter it's like stepping back in time.
Inside there are exposed roof timbers, a floor laid in the 12th century and columns older than the church itself. Fragments of medieval frescoes survive on the bare brick walls, and above the altar is a figure of Christ bearing the marks of the Passion, beautifully handcrafted. I hadn't seen anything quite like it before, and I hope to return one day.
I thoroughly enjoyed the trip. It was a privilege to hear the stories of everyone we met, and I am looking forward to sharing the finished films.
The films will launch on the Jubilee's YouTube channel. Announcements go out through the Jubilee newsletter at jubilee.osb.org/subscribe.
