Jul 11, About Today for St. Benedict, Abbot
Memorial
“There was a man of venerable life, Benedict by name and grace, who from the time of his very childhood carried the heart of an old man. His demeanour indeed surpassing his age, he gave himself no disport or pleasure, but living here upon earth he despised the world with all the glory thereof, at such a time as he might have most freely enjoyed it.”[1]
St. Benedict was born circa 480 in Nursia, Italy. Born to affluent parents, he was educated in Rome. Disillusioned by the other students’ behavior, Benedict retreated to a cave deep in the mountains for spiritual seclusion. In these formative years, St. Benedict overcame the ‘three fundamental temptations’ of self-importance, lust, and anger. A large community of followers grew up around him.
He relocated to Monte Cassino, an imposing plateau over the vast plains, symbolizing his desire to make monastic living a witness to the surrounding world. St. Benedict wrote a rule for his monks and it was so popular it helped shape the civilization and culture of Europe. St. Benedict is the Patron Saint of Europe as proclaimed by Paul VI in 1964. [2][3]
Written by Sarah Ciotti
Reviewed by Fr. Hugh Feiss, OSB, STD
[1] St. Gregory the Great, “The Life of Our Most Holy Father St. Benedict,” in The Second Book of Dialogues,1, http://www.ccel.org.
[2] Catholicpedia: The Original Catholic Encyclopedia (1917) for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. s.v. “St Benedict of Nursia.”
[3] Benedict XVI, General Audience, April 9, 2008.
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I identify strongly with this great saint in our church. Thank you Lord for giving your church St. Benedict!
Charles DeFeo: Catholic Blogger and Useless Servant of Christ 