St. Benedict of the Open Door

St. Benedict of the Open Door
The current sanctuary is recent. It began its reconstruction 1880 and was completed in 1895. They are worthy of highlighting the tile panels of the chancel, depicting the life of S. Bento, as well as the carved altarpiece covered with gold. Due to the increased number of pilgrim, in 1998, It opened the current Crypt. In 21 March 2015, in commemoration of 400 years of the Sanctuary, Pope Francisco elevated him to the Basilica of category, at the request of the Archbishop of Braga and Primate of the Spains, D. Jorge Ortiga, as proposed by the Administrative Bureau of height.
Crypt

Given the tiny size of the existing church, it was decided in the year 1994, build a new space very close to the first, having been delivered to the architect Luís Cunha project preparation. The construction was completed, including surrounding areas, in the year of 2002. Throughout the building there is a link between the simplicity of construction and everything else. The project contemplated large openings to the outside and facilitating aeration contact with nature, especially in the east zone.

No cloister gives crypt can see, four extraordinary statues of Saints Benedictines, as S. Bernardo, St. Scholastica, among others. At the entrance of the crypt are two statues in bronze sóbreas and clean lines of S. Gregory the Great (Pope and first biographer S. Bento) e S. Geraldo (Benedictine monk and Archbishop of Braga).

Worthy of close observation are the ten tile panels, painted by Querubim Lapa, that portray episodes S's life. Bento.

SUBÍACO – S. BENEDICT IN CAVE

At first the monk can Romao to deliver food to S. Bento, during 3 years remained isolated in a cave, no Monte Subiaco a 60 kilometers. Rome, in prayer and meditation. The right side of this panel draws attention to the importance of the Cluny order in the development of monastic life.

THE SPIRIT OF VICTORY OVER MEAT

The second panel shows us how S. Benedict overcomes temptations through sacrifice (“He threw himself naked in the middle of a thicket of thorns”) and prayer. This is an essential part of the life of monks and “S Rule. Bento”.

THE MIRACLE OF SICKLE

The next panel tells the story of sickle, not lost lake, and it was recovered by S. Bento: Dipped cable scythe this was to meet, can thus, the monk keep working. The work is one of the components of the Benedictine Rule, alluded to the right side of this panel.
THE MIRACLE OF THE CROW
The fourth panel shows two episodes of the Holy Life. The first, the episode of the poisoned bread and crow (See “O Holy”) and the second related to the history of the stone it was impossible to remove from the place where he was (the monks have given this fact to the presence of the devil). Only with the intervention of S. Bento, who launched his blessing on it was possible to achieve their removal.

The FAUX VISIT Totila KING

The next panel is represented the meeting between Totila and S. Bento. Toti, King Ostrogodos, who took and sacked Rome in 547, He tried to deceive the Holy, ordering a her official who wore his clothes and to meet with S. Bento, like the king himself. But it was immediately recognized and returned to tell what had happened Totila.
THE MIRACLE OF FLOUR BAGS
The sixth panel recalls the appearance without knowing how, two hundred measures of flour in bags, the Convent door, when the Campania region suffered a great shortage of food and the brothers spent deprivations in their food. On the right side of the panel appears a reference to the famous monastery of Einsiedeln, in Switzerland, culturar great center of great importance in expanção Benedictine spirit.

PLANS OF THE MONASTERY TERRACINA TRANSMITTED THROUGH THE DREAM

The revelation of the plans for the construction of Terracina monastery is depicted in the following panel. S. Benedict sends friars to this city in order to build a monastery and assures them that he will give them all the necessary information. De facto, through a dream are revealed all building plans. The right side shows the “Rule”, which describes the actions and procedures of the monks, and whose motto is “Ora et Labora”, Pray and Work.
INTERVIEW S. BENEDICT WITH YOUR SISTER SCHOLASTIC
The eighth panel shows the last meeting of S. Benedict with his sister, St. Scholastica, during which there was the miracle of the storm. Applications Sister, for this is found prolongasse, S. Benedict reacted negatively. He succeeded, however, a violent storm, that prevented the Holy returned to the convent and left her sister. The right side panel alludes to evangelization, Portuguese in Brazil.
MIRACLE WORLD VISION FULL IN A LIGHT BEAM
The table shows the following panel, reflects the vision carried by S. Bento, When, at night, standing at his window, He saw the whole world as that collected in a single ray of light and the soul of the bishop of Capua, German, be conducted by an angel, towards heaven. Reference, in the right side, for Santa Cecilia, patroness of music and the Benedictine Abbey of Solesmes, where he developed the Gregorian chant and whose library had extraordinary collections of musical manuscripts.

NUNS ON A MEDITANDO Morte S. BENTO
The last panel refers to death of S. Bento, announced in advance, by own, his disciples. Death is not the end, but the beginning of evangelization. Actually, S. Benedict is designated as the patriarch of the West and the “Europe Father”.

House Apostolate

It is so called the use of two adjacent buildings, once intended for the GNR barracks and the residence of the Chaplain. Direction is a need for a building for carrying out ministry acts indole, It was created this structure. Fundamentally, intended this pastoral center or apostolate house, to provide assistance to the movements and apostolic works.


House of Dies

Adapted to current times, They are selling books and souvenirs relating to St. Benedict's Open Door and its pastoral action and taumaturga. IT IS, also, the place for delivery of objects and alms for the celebration of Masses.

Casa dos ex-votos

Annexed to the house there is the Prints “Casa dos ex-votos”, which houses memorabilia delivered by the faithful devotees of the Holy Patriarch.

Sick bay

Given that there are thousands – especially in June, July, August and september – people who on a daily run along the foot paths leading to sanctuary, no need of an effective host, in the health aspect. To solve this difficulty, We built a nursery to care for all the pilgrims.

Picnic and recreation

today has the shrine of a park overlooking, so that pilgrims can rest, have fun and take your meals. It has a lake with boats, several tables and benches for dining and relaxing.