In October 2016 a 6.6 magnitude earthquake destroyed the 14th-century basilica as well as most of the monastery . Although none of the monks were harmed , they , like thousands of others throughout Umbria , were left homeless . As a result , the monks moved outside the city to the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie . The 15th-century church was once part of a Capuchin friary , and later was used as the seminary of the Diocese of Norcia . It was abandoned in the mid-20th century after the Diocese of Norcia was merged with that of nearby Spoleto . The monks had originally purchased the badly dilapidated church with the hopes of turning it into a summer retreat . In November 2016 , Fr . Cassian announced that he was stepping down as prior , saying that he lacked the energy necessary to head the community in the process of rebuilding . Fr . Benedict Nivakoff , an American who had previously served as sup-prior and novice master , became the new prior . Since 2016 the monks have constructed several temporary structures on their new site , including a chapel , cells , refectory and library , and plan to construct a larger permanent structure . As of 2018 , there are 14 monks in the community
6.6 magnitude earthquake
October 2016 Central Italy earthquakes
Monastery of Saint Benedict (Norcia)