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St Benedict of Nursia |
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Feast Day: July 11
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Also known as
- Benedict of Narsia; Benedict of Norsia; Benedict of Nursia;
Founder of Western
Monasticism
- Profile
- Roman nobility. Twin brother of Saint
Scholastica. Studied in
Rome, but was dismayed by the lack of discipline and the
lackadasical attitude of his fellow students. Fled to the mountains
near Subiaco, living as a
hermit in a cave for three years; reported to have been fed by a
raven. His virtues caused an
abbey to request him to lead them. Founded the
monastery at
Monte Cassino, where he wrote the
Rule of his order. His discipline was such that an attempt was
made on his life; some
monks tried by poison him, but he
blessed the cup and rendered it harmless. He returned to his cave,
but continued to attract followers, and eventually established twelve
monasteries. Had the ability to read consciences, prophesy, and
forestall attacks of the devil. Destroyed
pagan statues and altars, drove demons from groves sacred to
pagans. At one point there were over 40,000
monasteries guided by the
Benedictine Rule. A summation of the Rule: "Pray and work."
- Born
- c.480,
Narsia,
Umbria,
Italy
- Died
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21 March
547 of a
fever while in prayer at
Monte Cassino,
Italy; buried beneath the high altar there in the same tomb as
Saint
Scholastica
- Name Meaning
- blessed (= benedict)
- Patronage
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against nettle rash;
against poison;
against witchcraft;
agricultural workers;
cavers;
civil engineers;
coppersmiths;
dying people;
erysipelas;
Europe;
farm workers;
farmers;
fever;
gall stones;
Heerdt, Germany;
inflammatory diseases;
Italian architects;
kidney disease;
monks;
nettle rash;
Norcia, Italy;
people in religious orders;
poison;
schoolchildren;
servants who have broken their master's belongings;
speliologists;
spelunkers;
temptations;
witchcraft
Prayers - Prayer
I to...
Prayer
II to...
Prayer for
the Gifts to Seek God and Live in Him, by Saint Benedict
Representation -
bell; broken cup; broken cup and serpent representing poison;
broken utensil; bush;
crosier; man in a
Benedictine
cowl holding Benedict's rule or a rod of discipline; raven
Images -
Gallery of images of Saint Benedict [12 images,
174 kb]
Readings - With jubilation of the voice, O
chant ye of our Father Benedict: The mouth of the righteous shall
meditate wisdom. For wisdom hath built up a throne for herself in the
bosom of the righteous man. And his tongue shall speak of judgment,
seeing the Logos-teaching Pneumatos bedeweth the hidden places of his
heart; for the law of his God is in his heart.
Ps 36:33,34, trope "In jubilo" from the complete Old Sarum Rite
Missal, Saint Hilarion Press, copyright
1998
Prayer ought to be short and pure, unless it be prolonged by the
inspiration if Divine grace.
Saint Benedict
Girded with a faith, and the performance of good works, let us
follow in Christ's path by the guidance of the Gospel; then we shall
deserve to see him "who has called us into his kingdom." If we wish to
attain a dwelling place in his kingdom, we shall not reach it unless
we hasten there by our good deeds.
Just as there exists an evil fervor, a bitter spirit, which divides us
from God and leads us to hell, so there is a good fervor which sets us
apart from evil inclinations and leads us toward God and eternal life.
No one should follow what he considers to be good for himself, but
rather what seems good for another. Let them put Christ before all
else; and may he lead us all to everlasting life.
from the Rule of Saint Benedict
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