2. The Medieval Fair in Cassino
Saint Benedict
The Medieval Fair in
Cassino

3. Every year in Cassino there is an event to celebrate the Patron, St
Every year in Cassino there is an event to celebrate the Patron, St.Benedict. In March 2012 our school presented two scenes about medicine in the Middle Ages in two different stands, set up by “Terra Sancti Benedicti Committee”.

4. In the first scene were shown three pictures representing respectively:
The Abbey of Montecassino
The Rule of Saint Benedict
Saint Benedict writing the Rule

5. The Rule of Saint Benedict (Regula Benedicti) is a book composed by 73 chapters.
It summarizes the famous motto
“Ora et labora”
which means “Pray and work”

6. The Abbey of Montecassino
As it appears in the eyes of today’s visitors
It was founded in 529 by St. Benedict from Norcia on the site of an ancient tower and a temple dedicated to Apollo.

7. In the picture:
The Abbot of Montecassino and the Mayor of Cassino, visiting our stand.
In the other scene a Benedictine infirmary was recreated, where one of our students in the shoes of a doctor monk, was diagnosing and proposing therapies to a patient.

9. In the monastic infirmary often medical practices took place between mystical and religious. To cure the patient were used objects like pliers, ancient drills, bandages, aromatic herbs, medical ointments and a crown of metal.
The crown, which was imposed, was used to cure a headache. It was made of iron received for devotion during the piligrimages; it was blessed and the put on the patient’s head, as we can see in these pictures.