Casamari Abbey, Casamari, Italy

Ancient Origins and Roman Heritage

Casamari Abbey stands on the ruins of the ancient Roman municipality known as Cereatae, named after the goddess Ceres. Its name, Casa Marii, meaning “House of Marius,” refers to the birthplace of Gaius Marius, a prominent Roman general and politician. Marius, a seven-time consul and notable figure in the civil war against Sulla in 88 BC, is commemorated through the name of the road that leads to the abbey, Via Mària, which connects Frosinone to Sora. After the fall of the Roman Empire and during the subsequent barbarian invasions, the area saw a significant decline, with Cereatae-Casa Marii suffering the same fate as the broader region.

Founding of the Abbey

In the 11th century, Benedictine monks settled in the area and established a monastery. The Abbey of Casamari was founded in 1005 when a group of monks from nearby Veroli chose the site of Cereatae-Casa Marii to build a place of worship. This location was chosen because it was situated on the remains of a temple dedicated to Mars. The foundation of the abbey is recorded in the Chronicle of the Cartario or Chartarium Casamariense, written by the monk Gian Giacomo de Uvis. The monks, led by figures such as Benedetto, Giovanni, Orso, and Azo, visited the Monastery of Sora to request the monastic habit.

Historians suggest that the first church, dedicated to Saint John and Saint Paul, was established in 1005, while the construction of the monastery began in 1036. The abbey’s significance grew over time as it acquired properties, including the church of Sant’Angelo de Meruleta in Castro dei Volsci, and founded other monasteries in southern Italy.

The Benedictine Period and Early Struggles

In the early years, the abbey was part of the Benedictine monastic tradition. A simple church was built, dedicated to Saints John and Paul. Over time, the monastery expanded under the leadership of Abbot Giovanni in the mid-11th century. During this period, the abbey began to grow in influence, receiving numerous donations and acquiring several chapels in the surrounding area, which helped to sustain its operations.

The Cistercian Reforms

By the early 12th century, the abbey faced a period of financial instability and internal decline, common in the region during that time. The situation worsened as political and religious conflicts engulfed Italy. Amid this turmoil, the Cistercian reform movement, led by St. Bernard of Clairvaux, sought to restore the ideals of monastic life, focusing on strict adherence to the Rule of St. Benedict and communal self-sufficiency. In 1140, Casamari Abbey was incorporated into the Cistercian order. The abbey’s church and buildings were rebuilt between 1203 and 1217 in accordance with Cistercian architectural standards, marking a new chapter in its history. During this period, the abbey gained recognition as the 29th foundation of the Cistercian order, officially listed in the directory of Citeaux.

Challenges and Decline

Despite the revitalization under the Cistercians, the abbey experienced significant setbacks throughout the 12th and 13th centuries. Between 1417 and 1418, the abbey was severely damaged by an assault from the army of Queen Joanna II of Naples, which resulted in the destruction of its western wing. The abbey suffered another blow in 1430 when Pope Martin V appointed his nephew, Cardinal Prospero Colonna, as the commendatory abbot, leading to the diversion of the abbey’s financial control. By 1623, the abbey’s monastic community had dwindled to just eight monks. In response, the abbey joined eight other monasteries to form the Roman Congregation, creating a network of mutual support. However, this union lasted only until 1650.

The Trappist Reform and Further Decline

In 1717, under the commendatory abbot Annibale Albani, the abbey underwent a brief period of revival as the Trappist reform was introduced. Albani invited monks from the Trappist monastery of Buonsollazzo in Tuscany to help restore Casamari to its former glory. The monks sought to reinvigorate the abbey, adhering to stricter rules of monastic life, but this effort did not last.

The Suppression and Martyrdom

During the Napoleonic era, the abbey faced further challenges. In May 1799, French soldiers plundered the abbey, killing Abbot Simeon Cardon and five other monks. The monks were killed while attempting to recover consecrated hosts that had been desecrated. The martyrdom of these monks was officially recognized by the Vatican in May 2020. The abbey, along with other religious communities in Italy, was suppressed by Napoleon’s decree in 1811.

Revival and Restoration

Following Napoleon’s defeat, the abbey slowly began to regain its footing. By 1814, some surviving monks returned, and monastic life was restored under the authority of the Holy See. The abbey also expanded its influence by incorporating other nearby monasteries, such as the Monastery of San Domenico near Sora (1833) and Valvisciolo Abbey near Sermoneta (1864). In 1874, Casamari was declared a national monument, which helped restore its prestige and financial stability. By 1929, the Holy See formally recognized the Congregation of Casamari, uniting it with other Cistercian communities. This recognition allowed the monks to expand their pastoral work, including the establishment of a seminary and the possibility of foreign missions.

International Expansion

In 1940, the Abbey made its first overseas foundation in Ethiopia, where it established four monasteries and trained over 100 native monks. Foundations were also made in Brazil and the United States, further extending the influence of the Congregation of Casamari.

Notable Figures and Recent Developments

One of the most significant figures in the modern history of Casamari Abbey was Father Felix Mary Ghebreamlak, an Ethiopian Catholic priest who sought to introduce Catholic monasticism to Ethiopia. After entering the abbey, he was diagnosed with tuberculosis and died in 1934. His holiness led to his veneration within the Ethiopian Catholic Church, and a process for his canonization was begun. In 1957, the Abbey Church was designated a Basilica Minor by Pope Pius XII, further solidifying its importance in the Catholic world.

The Abbey Today

As of 2017, the Abbot of Casamari Abbey is Dom Eugenio Romagnuolo, who also serves as the President of the Cistercian Congregation of Casamari. The abbey remains a center of monastic life and continues to play an active role in the pastoral care of nearby parishes. With a total membership of around 200 monks, the abbey’s influence is felt not only in Italy but also in its international foundations. Casamari Abbey’s history reflects both the resilience and challenges of monastic life, marked by periods of growth, decline, destruction, and revival. Its continuous monastic presence, except for the years it was disbanded under Napoleon, remains a testament to its enduring legacy in the religious and cultural landscape of Italy and beyond.