Yes, YouToo can watch YouTube. A Benedictine oblate blog.

This is my first try at including a video. If this works you are watching Monte Cassino, the most famous Benedictine monastery. It was founded by St. Benedict in about 529 AD.

In its 1,479-year history, Monte Cassino Abbey has been destroyed three times by armies, including the 1944 bombing by the Allies during the World War II Battle of Monte Cassino. [The decision of the allies to bomb Monte Cassino is controversial to this day.]

The Abbey was rebuilt by the Italian government and consecrated by Pope Paul VI in 1964.

While at Monte Cassino Abbey, in about 530 AD Benedict wrote and compiled the Rule. Its influence spread over all Western monasticism and it has been said that the Rule written at this abbey -- other than the Bible -- has been the most important book for the development of Western civilization.

When I say prayers today, it will include a remembrance of the many monks known only to God who have lived quietly within its walls — but who never let the fire go out.

“May the divine assistance remain with us always,
And with our absent brothers.
Amen”