Day 7: Excursion day – A well-deserved day of rest

The first week of the Chapter has already passed, and the capitulants deserved some rest. They had the opportunity to spend the day in Nemi, enjoying its tranquillity, or to take part in one of the excursions to Castel Gandolfo, Subiaco or to the beach of Anzio.

The closest outing was to Castel Gandolfo, a fifteen-minute bus ride from Nemi. Here the capitulants visited the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo, which had served as a summer residence and vacation retreat for the popes. It has been transformed into a museum and is open to the public. After a walk in the beautiful gardens, the group returned to Nemi.

Subiaco is further off, and the trip lasted an hour and a half. The medieval St. Benedict’s Abbey and the Abbey of Santa Scolastica stand out from the surrounding town. The monastery of St. Benedict is one of the most significant spiritual places for the Church. Built nearly 1,000 years ago, it has the task of guarding the cave where the young Benedict of Norcia spent a period of hermitic life before devoting himself to community life.

A third group of sisters spent a relaxing day on the beach of Anzio.

After recovering their energy the capitulants will continue their work tomorrow.