“Ora et labora” Pray and work. Do you know where this guiding principle resonates deeply in Buenos Aires? It is at the Parroquia de San Benito.
Let’s step inside this house of worship. The Parroquia de San Benito is more than just a church. It’s a testament to faith. It’s a symbol of community. The story of San Benito in Buenos Aires begins far away. It begins in Nursia, Italy.
San Benito was born in Nursia. He received a good education. At 15, he went to Rome to study. He didn’t like the environment. He decided to dedicate his life to God. He lived in a cave for three years. He prayed and meditated. Followers began to appear. He founded 12 monasteries.
Later San Benito moved to Monte Casino. He built a monastery on the ruins of a pagan temple. He traveled through Europe performing miracles. He served others. He spread the Word. San Benito died in Monte Casino. His twin sister rests beside him. San Benito’s feast day is celebrated on July 11.
Between 1914 and 1915 six Benedictine monks arrived in Buenos Aires. They were sent by the Abbey of Santo Domingo de Silos in Burgos, Spain. Fray Andrés Azcárate was among them. He was ordained a priest in Buenos Aires.
The monks first went to Carlos Casares. The following year they moved to Buenos Aires. They settled in the Belgrano/Palermo area. Around 1919 they obtained an oratory with an attached house at Olleros 2342. The property belonged to the descendants of Don Ernesto Tornquist.
The monks carried out their priestly mission there. They lived according to Benedictine rules. They did not live at the oratory. The Salesian P. Glendi was in charge of the oratory. When he died in July 1919, P. Azcárate took charge. He searched for a suitable place for a future abbey.
The chapel was known as Capilla de Ntra. Sra. del Perpetuo Socorro. Mass and Vespers were sung in Gregorian chant every Sunday. This was a novelty in the neighborhood. Between 1922 and 1923, they began buying land. Adolfo Tornquist, a priest, greatly supported them.
Several collections were held. Ladies such as Meyer Pellegrini and Pirovano helped. They bought Anchorena’s estate on Maure Street. They restored the house. It is now part of the parish house. They then bought the rest of the block from the Tornquist descendants.
On October 5, 1920, the cornerstone of the Church of the Holy Christ was blessed. Martín Errázuriz and Mercedes Guerrico acted as sponsors. Architects Martín Noel and Alejandro Bustillo were called upon. The final project was by P. DOM Eleuterio González.
Construction of the Chapel of the Holy Christ began on March 17, 1924. Mercedes Guerrico made a donation. P. Azcárate worked tirelessly. The Monastery of San Benito grew into an abbey.
San Benito Abad parish was created in 1928. Its administrative headquarters were in the Chapel of the Holy Christ. P. DOM Andrés Azcárate was its first pastor. The Benedictines were in charge. On December 25, 1940, the cornerstone of the abbey church was laid.
P. Azcárate formed many work groups. He created numerous institutions. These included the Academia Benedictina de Maestras and Colegio Esquiú. He also founded Catholic Action and the League of Mothers and Fathers of Families.
In September 1962, P. Azcárate retired. P.DOM Lorenzo Molinero became abbot. Azcárate remained connected. He always loved everything Benedictine. He loved everything Argentine.
P. Azcárate died in 1981. He was buried in the monastery cemetery. The Parroquia de San Benito stands as a testament to his work. It is a place of faith. It is a place of community. It is a place where “Ora et labora” is lived every day.