A Tuscan Village Celebrates

Part of the charm of Italy is tradition and whether you are a Catholic or not the church is a very important part of the history.

Our little village of Benabbio in the hills above Bagni di Lucca is a thriving village full of young families but also steeped in the local traditions. We are one of the few villages to have a resident priest who is very much a part of his flock. The villagers therefore whether regular churchgoers on all pulled together to celebrate our village priest being bestowed the title a Monsignore and Canon of the Duomo, the Cathedral of Lucca.

All the locals clubbed together to buy the impressive crimson robes that had to be tailored by a special priest outfitters in Lucca. Our dear Don Mario is a modest man and had insisted that he didn't require the regalia but his followers insisted and by the smile on his face I think he was very happy they had. It was recognition from the community of a good wise friend and a well-loved priest.

I am not a Catholic but the church was for centuries the centre of the village and though, that perhaps isn't the case now, it was wonderful to see our Romanesque church bursting at the seams and filled with music. The mass was made particularly special due to our local choir who sang the most beautiful polyphonic music. The pure voices of the singers seem to float up to the ancient vaulted roof and time stood still.

Like every Italian celebration food was important and after the mass, we all celebrated in the village piazza sharing a feast. Our new Monsignore even serving dishes to his flock.

I have been part of this village for many years and it is these occasions and traditions that remind me of my love of Italian rural life and the fun of living in a small bustling community that doesn't cast aside its traditions.