St. Anthony Cchurch is seen Oct. 30 partially collapsed following an earthquake along the road to Norcia, Italy. Thousands of people in central Italy have spent the night in cars, tents and temporary shelters following the fourth earthquake in the area in three months. (CNS photo/Remo Casilli, Reuters)
St. Anthony Cchurch is seen Oct. 30 partially collapsed following an earthquake along the road to Norcia, Italy. Thousands of people in central Italy have spent the night in cars, tents and temporary shelters following the fourth earthquake in the area in three months. (CNS photo/Remo Casilli, Reuters)

By Junno Arocho Esteves
Catholic News Service

ROME (CNS) — Priests in central Italy were instructed to celebrate Mass outdoors following another devastating earthquake that rocked the region and brought one of its most spiritually and historically significant churches tumbling down.

Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti of Perugia-Citta della Pieve advised priests to not celebrate Mass indoors over the next several days, including Nov. 1, the Solemnity of All Saints, which is also a national holiday in Italy.

The 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck Norcia in the early morning Oct. 30 and reduced the Basilica of St. Benedict to rubble.

Nuns walk next to a partially collapsed wall Oct. 30 following an earthquake in Norcia, Italy. Thousands of people in central Italy have spent the night in cars, tents and temporary shelters following the fourth earthquake in the area in three months.(CNS photo/Remo Casilli, Reuters)
Nuns walk next to a partially collapsed wall Oct. 30 following an earthquake in Norcia, Italy. Thousands of people in central Italy have spent the night in cars, tents and temporary shelters following the fourth earthquake in the area in three months.(CNS photo/Remo Casilli, Reuters)

At the noonday Angelus Oct. 30, Pope Francis prayed for the “the wounded and the families that have suffered major damage as well as for the personnel involved in rescue efforts and in aiding the victims.

“May the Risen Lord give them strength and Our Lady watch over them,” the pope said.

The Benedictine monks of Norcia assisted in relief efforts as well as helping to guide anxious residents to the town’s main square and lead them in prayer.

“After offering spiritual support to the people in town following this morning’s intense earthquake, the entire monastic community is together again at our mountain monastery which overlooks a now fractured Norcia,” the monks said in a message posted on their blog.

Following the destruction of the basilica built atop the birthplace of their founder, the Benedictine monks said they hoped the image of the destroyed church may “serve to illustrate the power of this earthquake and the urgency we monks feel to seek out those who need the Sacraments on this difficult day for Italy.”

While there were no deaths and some 20 reported injuries, it was the strongest quake in Italy since 1980 when a 6.9 earthquake struck the southern region of Campania.

Rubble and destroyed homes are seen Oct. 27 after an earthquake in Camerino, near Macerata, Italy. Archbishop Alexander K. Sample of Portland, Ore., was preparing to celebrate Mass Oct. 26 with Benedictine monks in nearby Norcia when the first of two powerful earthquakes struck. (CNS photo/Christiano Chiodi, EPA)
Rubble and destroyed homes are seen Oct. 27 after an earthquake in Camerino, near Macerata, Italy. Archbishop Alexander K. Sample of Portland, Ore., was preparing to celebrate Mass Oct. 26 with Benedictine monks in nearby Norcia when the first of two powerful earthquakes struck. (CNS photo/Christiano Chiodi, EPA)

The quake was felt along much of the Italian peninsula including 100 miles away in Rome, forcing city officials to close subways and several churches in order to assess any damage. Rome’s mayor Virginia Raggi also ordered schools to be closed the following day while the safety of the buildings was checked.

Vatican firefighters assessed potential damage to the four major papal basilicas in Rome, which were later reported to be safe and open to the public.

Related

Quake cracks St. Paul’s Basilica, other Vatican landmarks

More earthquakes rock Norcia

U.S. archbishop, pilgrims were in Mass when earthquake struck Italy

Monks try to rebuild

Video/images from BBC and CNN