Pelleting rainstorms and blustery winds are making tent-life challenging for those in Cascia who’ve temporarily abandoned their homes after the October 2016 earthquakes. Volunteers at work have had to salvage tents whisked away by strong gusts. And the early November Sunday Mass was celebrated outside in a parking lot as every church has to be checked by experts before re-opening to the public.
Fortunately, earthquake damage has not been as severe as in the nearby southeastern Umbria mountain hill towns of Norcia, Visso, Castelluccio, Campi, and Preci but a few homes have lesions – and shattered nerves from frequent tremors have pushed many to temporarily leave their homes, even if not damaged.
A bit of plaster dropped off the cupola of the Basilica di Santa Rita, though Rector Padre Bernado Pinciaroli assesses damage as not grave: “but the Basilica has to stay closed until inspection.” The cloistered Augustinian nuns, followers of Cascia’s beloved 14th saint, Santa Rita, have left for now the cloister adjacent to the Basilica, moving into another convent. “For their tranquillity,” Padre Pinciaroli added. Yes, those aftershock jolts take their toll on one’s serenity.
The Augustinians look down on their beloved Santa Rita from their convent
Hopefully, Cascia will be celebrating also this January la Festa delle Tradizioni Rurali, fêting the roveja bean, that legume which shares Cascia culinary fame with the local saffron.
…and no doubt that the Augustinian sisters will be home for May 22nd. How could they be anywhere else on the Festa di Santa Rita….when everything will be “coming up roses” (literally!).
(Read here about May 22nd, Feast of Santa Rita, “a day of roses” in Cascia.)
Read about nearby Norcia – and earthquake damage
Read about Norcia..and la norcineria
See the recipe for pasta alla norcina (a possible earthquake-benefit dish)
Read about earthquake damage in Castelluccio
Read about a recent visit to Castelluccio – to see the flowering splendors of the Piano Grande
Read about Castelluccio and the famous lentils
Read about Castelluccio majesty
Read about the curious history of Preci (near Oct 30 2016 quake epicenter) – and earthquake damage
Click here for news on the glorious Benedictine abbey of Sant’Eutizio (outside Preci)
Read about the earthquake trauma of missing cemetery visits on November 2nd
Read about San Pellegrino near Norcia, damaged in the August 24th, 2016 quake
Read about – and see – damage to Visso
Read about San Salvatore, near Norcia, lost: che tragedia
Peppa’s home had damage, too, though light damage
Click here to read about the August 24, 2016 earthquake damage in Umbria
Read about earthquake benefit dinners
Read more on the benefit dinners following the earthquake
Click here for news on our benefit dinner starring pasta all’amatriciana
The basilica’s interior is absolutely beautiful! So happy it appears to have survived devastation. I hope they find only minimal damage, if that. As always your pic are gorgeous, and oh my, the festival of roses must be even better in person…the fragrance..mmmm
Stephanie, hope you can come back soon to Umbria / come stai?