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Church of the Colloquy of St Scholastica: where two saints stopped time
The Chiesa del Colloquio (Church of the Meeting or Colloquy) stands in Villa Santa Lucia, just a short distance from Montecassino. This is no ordinary sanctuary. It is the place where, according to tradition, the siblings St Scholastica and St Benedict would meet for their spiritual conversations. A fraternal bond that gave both its name and its soul to this small building, making it a uniquely meaningful landmark.
The last, miraculous meeting
According to tradition, as recounted by Pope Gregory the Great, there was one final, extraordinary meeting. Scholastica, sensing that the end was near, prayed to God not to let her brother leave. A sudden storm broke out — a downpour that forced Benedict to stay, turning a simple conversation into a night of prayer. A small miracle.
Traces of history underfoot
The current building is not the original one. The church has been destroyed and rebuilt several times, most recently in 1939 at the behest of the Abbot of Montecassino, Gregorio Diamare. Yet its more ancient past re-emerges from its very foundations. Excavations have revealed three distinct superimposed floor layers — silent witnesses taking us all the way back to the 8th century.
The church has no fixed opening hours. To arrange a visit, it is advisable to contact the parish of Villa Santa Lucia or the local Pro Loco, especially if you wish to visit outside of liturgical celebration times.
