The Life of Saint Benedict, Abbot
Patriarch of Western Monasticism
Saint Benedict of Nursia, abbot and lawgiver of monastic life, was born around the year 480 in Nursia, in Umbria, to a noble Roman family. While still young, he was sent to Rome to pursue his studies; but seeing the corruption and moral disorder of the city, he resolved to abandon the world and live for God alone.
He withdrew first to the region of Subiaco, where he lived for three years as a hermit in a hidden cave, under the guidance of a monk named Romanus. There he endured severe temptations, which he overcame through prayer, fasting, and bodily mortification. The fame of his sanctity gradually spread, and many came to him, some for instruction, others to place themselves under his direction in the service of God.
He was afterward asked to take charge of a nearby monastery; yet when the monks found his holy discipline too strict, they even attempted to poison him. It is said that when Benedict made the sign of the Cross over the poisoned cup, it shattered. He then returned to solitude, where he founded several monasteries in the surrounding region and gathered many disciples.
At length he went to Monte Cassino, where he destroyed a temple of Apollo that still remained as a relic of pagan superstition, and there he founded the renowned monastery that became the chief seat of his order. In this place he composed the celebrated Rule of Saint Benedict, a work marked by such wisdom, moderation, and evangelical spirit that for many centuries it served as the principal norm of cenobitic life in the West. Its spirit is often summed up in the phrase “Pray and work” (Ora et labora), uniting prayer and labor in one holy order of life.
Saint Benedict was also renowned for many miracles. He was said to possess a prophetic spirit, foretelling future events, discerning things done at a distance, healing the sick, casting out devils, and even causing water to spring from a rock. The principal account of his life was given by Saint Gregory the Great in the second book of the Dialogues, which remains the classic source of Benedictine hagiography.
His sister was Saint Scholastica, a consecrated virgin, to whom he was united by a holy spiritual affection. It is related that shortly before her death, Scholastica obtained by prayer a violent storm, so that her brother might not leave before they had finished their spiritual conversation. A few days later Benedict saw her soul ascending to heaven in the form of a dove.
As for the holy patriarch himself, having been forewarned of his death, he ordered his grave to be opened six days beforehand. On the day of his passing, after receiving the Body and Blood of the Lord, he stood supported by his disciples, with hands raised to heaven in prayer, and so gave up his spirit around the year 547. He was buried at Monte Cassino near Saint Scholastica.
Saint Benedict is honored by the Church as the patron of Europe and the father of Western monastic discipline. His life remains a model of withdrawal from the world, discretion, humility, obedience, and the love of God.
Brief prayer:
O God, who didst endow blessed Benedict the abbot with the spirit of all the just, grant, we beseech Thee, that through his intercession and example, faithfully serving Thee, we may attain everlasting life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.