“Majella: Domus Christi, Domus Naturae” exhibition

This exhibition in the Vatican Museums organized by Parco Nazionale della Majella, a national park in Abruzzo, brings to light the culture and nature of the area as well as highlight the hermits’ way of life. Its intention is to showcase this protected area through stories, and profound spirituality that have contributed to the culture of the region.

There are seven sections with multimedia and sensory effects where the visitor will be able to appreciate the landscape and natural environment of the park and become more familiar with the little known historical event of Eremitism under the guidance of Pietro da Morrone, the hermit who later became Pope Celestine V.

About Parco Nazionale della Majella

Situated in the provinces of Chieti, Pescara, and L’Aquila in the region of Abruzzo, Parco Nazionale della Majella covers over  74,095 hectares and is home to 39 municipalities and 6 mountain communities. In this national park, you can find a rich variety of wildlife including rare species that are typical of the Appennine mountains.

The appenine wolf, a symbol of the Park, breeds regularly here, and there is a population of about 8-10 different packs. Another important species that was reintroduced in 1992 is the appenine chamois, which is now thriving with a population of about 700. The park also boasts an astonishing number of flora and one third of the whole Italian flora can be found here.

The park is steeped in history, dating back to the Palaeolithic period and since prehistoric time, the Majella has been a sacred place of prayer, religious rituals and sprituality. With the arrival of Christianity, especially during the Middle Ages, it became a place of worship led by monks of San Liberatore a Majella and of San Clemente a Casauria, monasteries both founded in the 9th century,

Another important monastery was that of San Marino in Valle, built in the 11th century on the site of an earlier settlement which had as its centrepiece a small hermit cave carved by the elements into the rock. There are many natural caves, as well as those dug by man, where over the passing centuries you hear of stories of both holy men and of simple devotees who reached those places to find relief from the tribulations of the world or to look for hope.

The Celestine sanctuaries, the great abbeys, and the places of worship and prayer made from rock, are witnesses to the fait through the ages of man in the wild and rugged lands of the Majella National Park, which still to this day strengthens the relationship between man and God through nature and its silences.

While there are many trekking paths in the national park, one of the most important is The Spirit Path on the tracks of the hermit Pietro Da Morrone (later became Pope Celestine V) who chose the Majella for his course of faith. This path covering 66 km is a 4-day trek that starts from Badia di Sulmona and ends in Badia di San Liberatore a Majella. However, if you prefer just a day hike, you can choose to pass through one of the stages of the Spirit Path and visit the most beautiful retreats.

About Pietro Angelerio (Pietro da Morrone) the hermit who became Pope Celestine V

The following recounts the life of Pope Celestine V in 7 stages. Serving only five months and eight days as Pope, one of his most notable act was the final decree he issued declaring the right of resignation, which he promptly did a week later stating his desire to return to his humble way of life as a hermit.

It was 719 years later, in 2013, that the next Pope, Pope Benedict XVI resigned. 

Stage # 1: The Hermitage of Madonna dell’Altare 

At the age of about twenty, Pietro decided to follow the path that God had laid out. He went to Rome and to Molise to obtain Holy Orders.  Along the way he stopped at Castel di Sangro and then climbed higher up to the place now called Madonna dell’Altare (the Lady of the Altar) at the foot of Mount Porrara near Palena.

Here he excavated the soil under a big rock and dug a small space so that he could both stand up and lie down. For three years, wearing only a simple robe which also covered his head, he lived and slept in perfect solitude on a horrid, bare pallet bed. Here he often suffered from temptation, but his faith in the Almighty overcame everything; leading him along the path to holiness.

Stage # 2: Santo Spirito a Majella 

After living at the shrine of Madonna dell’Altare and then in the hermitage of Sant ‘Onofrio, Pietro moved along the north-western slope of the Majella. Here he established what was to be the Mother hermitage where the community of Santo Spirito was first founded. 

In order to conform to the rules of the Holy Church, a number of companions from the Hermitage went to the Papal Curia in 1263, to ask for protection from Pope Urbano IV who agreed and confirmed their communities. It was at this time that Pietro’s name first reached those in the Eternal City.

Due to the persecution of the Bishop of Chieti the holy hermit was forced to take a hard and dangerous journey to reach the French city of Lyon.  Here in 1274 he met the Ecumenical Council at the behest of Pope Gregorio X. He obtained from the Pope renewed protection and confirmation of all that pertained to the community of Santo Spirito.

Stage # 3: Hermitage of San Bartolomeo in Legio 

When Pietro da Morrone found that all the monks of Santo Spirito were completely devoted to the service of God, he decided to retire and live in total solitude. He went to the Hermitage of San Bartolomeo in Legio in the valley of the river Capo la Vena, but took with him no brothers with whom he could recite his daily prayers.

There he remained alone, with the exception of a few trusted followers who joined him later. Although the place was far from where people lived, he was wrong to think he might have been able to live there in peace. He was in fact sought after by many devotees who asked both to be heard and comforted by him. He remained there for several years and received many gifts from God.

Stage # 4: Hermitage of San Giovanni all’Orfento

Pietro da Morrone decided to leave San Bartolomeo in Legio and to establish himself in a place that was even more difficult to reach. Taking with him a brother, he climbed up to the top of the Majella and then descended into a cave in the Orfento Valley where one could not go without taking a great risk.

He stayed in the wilderness for several years with two companions, building an oratory and cells for himself and his brothers, with cells on the outside of the cave for the pilgrims.  So many people came from all destinations to see and hear him that when he spoke the mountain seemed full of men. Seeing many of them learn from his moral instruction was his only source of consolation.

Stage # 5: Santo Spirito del Morrone 

Having left the hermitage of San Giovanni in the spring of 1293 the old hermit returned to the western side of the Morrone. When news spread that the holy father had gone there, a great many people came from all over.  At this point he realised that should allow himself to be seen and gave his blessing to the people.

He descended to the Monastery at Santo Spirito where a stage was built so he could celebrate mass. During the ceremonies, many of the sick were healed and many others were delivered from evil demons. The Spirit of God was so great over the holy hermit that Pietro gave off his strength and his generosity and at the end of the service everyone went home with great joy.

Stage # 6: Hermitage of Santo Croce a Morrone 

Returning to live permanently on the Morrone in the spring of 1293, Brother Pietro lived in various different monasteries that were dotted over the mountain. During that time, the holy man of God taught, forgave and preached according to the plan of the Holy Spirit. He often went to pray at the top of the Morrone in the small chapel of the Holy Cross, not far from the hermitage of Sant ‘Onofrio, where he would soon learn of his illustrious fate as pontiff.

Stage # 7: Hermitage of Sant ‘Onofrio 

At the age of eighty-four, Pietro decided to retire to the hermitage of Sant ‘Onofrio. The hermitage was a few hours’ march from Sulmona, just below the summit of the Morrone, on the edge of a harsh and uncultivated hill, from where the view stretched for a great distance. His cell had a window covered with an iron grille and it was to here that the messengers of the sacred conclave came to announce that Pietro da Morrone had been elected Pope.

After serious reflection and prayer, the holy man, fearing God’s judgment and the fall of the Church, agreed to become Pope. Pietro therefore travelled to the city of L’Aquila to meet the other cardinals and from there went to the Abbey of Collemaggio where he was consecrated Pope with the name of Celestine V.

Subsequently the man of God, accompanied by members of the Angevin royal household, headed to the capital of the kingdom which at that time was Naples. Here, after serious reflection and prayer, he decided to leave the papal dignity. He was then forced to flee first to the mountains of the Majella and Morrone and then on to Puglia where he was chased by the soldiers of the new Pope Bonifacio VIII.

He was eventually captured in Vieste in the spring of 1295. The saint of God, finally ended his days in a cell at the Castello di Fumone on May 19, 1296 at the age of eighty-six.

Many thanks to Welcome to Sulmona for the invitation to visit this exhibit at the Vatican Museums which ends February 23rd.

Source: Parco Nazionale della Majella
All Photos © Musei Vaticani