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SAINT BENEDICT |
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Click here to learn more about the MEDAL OF ST. BENEDICT If you wish to read the PROLOGUE to the Rule of Saint Benedict. HIS LIFE Benedict was born in Italy about the year 480, in Nursia, a small town in Umbria. His family was of the lower nobility, long established in the region. He had one sister, Scholastica. Having completed the first stage of his education, Benedict left home at the age of 15, accompanied by his nurse, and settled in Rome. There he completed his higher studies, namely rhetoric and law which led him to a career of civil administration. This education made him part of the elite and assured his future. Even though Benedict was ambitious to succeed in life, one day he decided to leave Rome, his family, and the world with its easy life. He made the discovery that God is the only goal, the only love, worth the price of complete self-giving. With his nurse he joined a group living a community life in a little village at the foot of Mount Affile. There he spent his time in prayer, work, silence and the study of Holy Scripture and the Fathers of the Church. Because a small miracle was granted through his prayers, Benedict decided it was wise to leave this community before he would be taken for a saint. He left by himself and lived in a cave at Subiaco. A monk who lived near Subiaco brought Benedict food. He stayed there for a few years in total solitude. He had to fight many temptations to return to Rome and his former life. One day the monks of Vicovaro, near Subiaco, discovered Benedict and asked him to become their superior. Hesitantly, Benedict accepted. The new abbot's standards were too high and too demanding so the monks attempted to poison him and Benedict again departed. Other monks discovered Benedict and soon twelve monasteries grew up around him near Subiaco. For Benedict this was the beginning of a new life to which he completely devoted himself; his influence spread over the countryside. A priest monk became very jealous of Benedict and caused much malcontent among the brothers. To disarm his jealousy Benedict went away again with several disciples. They settled on top of Monte Cassino, where he dedicated two oratories, one to Saint Martin, the other to saint John the Baptist. This new monastery was a haven where all men were welcome, barbarians and slaves alongside the descendants of noblemen. The poor came to beg a little bread. In a troubled world, Monte Cassino was a place of peace, a center of prayer and a haven of culture. During his life Benedict accumulated a multitude of varied experiences. He wrote what he learned about God and about human beings in a small book: the Rule for monasteries. This Rule of Saint Benedict has become the rule for many monasteries even to this day. Benedict has been called the Father of Western Monasticism Benedict died on Monte Cassino on March 21 around 547. Monasteries which follow his Rule have spread throughout the world. Today there are thousands of Benedictine Monks and Sisters, living in monasteries, following the Holy Rule of Saint Benedict. ACKOWLEDGEMENT: |