St. Benedict was born into a noble family around 480 A.D. in Nursia (Italy). He went to Rome to pursue a classical education. Disheartened there by the worldly lifestyle around him, he traveled south to Subiaco, where a monk named Romanus guided him in the spiritual life. Benedict lived in solitude for the several years, and during this period his reputation for holiness grew. In time, community of monks asked Benedict to become their abbot. (The word “abbot” is derived from the Aramaic term abba, meaning “father.”) Later, Benedict began organizing his own disciples into communities of monks. Around 529 A.D., he arrived in Monte Cassino, where he founded a monastery and composed his famous Holy Rule for monks living in community. The Rule, with all of its wisdom, has led the Church to honor Benedict as the Father of Western Monasticism. The central theme of Benedictine living is the healthy balance between “ora et labora” (prayer and work).
Let us pray. O God, who made the Abbot Saint Benedict an outstanding master in the school of divine service, grant, we pray, that, putting nothing before love of you, we may hasten with a loving heart in the way of your commands. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. (the opening prayer for the Mass on the Feast of St. Benedict, Abbot)
For more on the life of St. Benedict: http://www.saintbenedict.org/saint-benedict
For our local connection to St. Benedict: https://www.mountangelabbey.org/
Free from Bishop Robert Barron (July 11 only): https://pivotalplayers.com/augustine-and-benedict
