Also known as Benedict of Nursia; Benedict of Nursia; Benedict of Nursia; Founder of Western Monasticism.

Born: 480AD in Nursia, Italy

Died: 21 March 547AD of a fever while in prayer at Monte Cassino, Italy. Buried beneath the high altar there in the same tomb as Saint Scholastica.

About St Benedict

St Benedict, was born to Roman nobility in Nursia (now Norcia), Italy in 480 AD. He was the twin brother of Saint Scholastica. St Benedict was educated in Rome. He was disgusted by the vices of the city of Rome and in about the year 500, moved to Enfide, fifty kilometres away. He decided to live the life of a hermit and settled in the mountainous region of Subiaco, where he lived in a cave for three years, supported by a holy monk, Romanus.

Despite Benedict's desire to be alone, his holiness and strict life became well-known and he was asked by a community of monks at Vicovaro to be their abbot. He accepted, but after a time the monks rebelled against his strict rule and tried to poison him. His life was saved by his pet raven! He left Vicovaro and went back to Subiaco, which very soon became a centre of holiness, spirituality and learning.

Soon disciples again flocked to him as his reputation for holiness, wisdom, and miracles had spread far and wide. He organised the monks into a single community and wrote his famous 'Rule' prescribing common sense, a life of prayer, study, work and community life under one superior. His 'Rule' stressed the importance of obedience, dedication and hard work. It was to affect the spiritual life of the whole of Europe for centuries to come.

St Benedict's Feast Day is 11th July.
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