An Abbey Outside of Time

On our way to supper we have stopped at the Abbey of Fossacesia. This austere church and cloister have stood here unchanged since the middle of the eleventh century. Unlike the high baroque interiors of the churches we have visited recently, these whitewashed walls bear witness to faith in a kingdom beyond the material world. A small community of believers have prayed without ceasing for a thousand years.

As we arrived a single priest prepared the elements for the Holy Eucharist. At 6:30 pm a single bell up in the campanile called all who wished to worship. Half a dozen people from town silently entered the choir area, where the priest began, “The Lord be with you.” Our group silently exited, but as we left we mixed our prayers with theirs thus joining their small community in our hearts.Les mer