Saint Benedict

St Benedict was born in Norcia, Italy, in around 480. His parents sent him to Rome in order to pursue his studies. He was so shocked by the lifestyle of those around him there that he rebelled and left, going to the caves at Subiaco to lead the life of a hermit.

Benedict lived alone, praying and finding his food where he could. One Easter a local priest had a dream in which God told him to go to the caves to give food to the holy man who was there. The priest went, found Benedict and then regularly took him food. Benedict’s fame spread and before long some monks of Vicovaro came to ask him to be their Abbot.

However, Benedict felt that the monks were too lax in their observance and he sought to make their life more disciplined. As a result, the monks tried to poison him, first with poisoned bread, which a raven took away, and then with poisoned wine; when Benedict blessed the wine, the cup broke. He realized what was happening and left.

He returned to the hills of Subiaco where he lived once more on his own with God. Little by little, young men came to join him there, so that his hermitage became a monastery. They became so many that he founded twelve monasteries in the area, as well as Montecassino, further to the south, where his relics are venerated today.

He was forced to leave Subiaco because of the jealousy of a local priest, and it was Montecassino that made Benedict famous. He preached to the local people, converting them to Christ. He was known as a compassionate holy man who worked many miracles. On one occasion he confronted the violence of a barbarian king, Totila; on another occasion, the power of his prayer miraculously set free a poor man imprisoned by a cruel barbarian called Zalla.

While Benedict was at Montecassino he finished his famous Rule (c. 520). This is the foundation of all Western monasticism, and is still followed (with appropriate adaptation for life in the twenty-first century) in Benedictine and Cistercian monasteries today. The Rule is known for its moderation in comparison with those which preceded it, as well as for its sensitivity to individual needs. Benedict divides the day between work, prayer and sleep, whence the famous catchphrase of Benedictinism, ora et labora (pray and work).

Benedict is said to have died in 547. Thanks to the work monks have done in the education and civilisation of Europe, as well as in spreading Christianity, Pope Paul VI declared St Benedict to be Patron of Europe.