St. Benedict: Patriarch of Western Monks

•Abbot 
•Feast day: July 11 
•480-547 

St. Benedict, often revered as the Patriarch of Western Monks, was born in Norcia, Italy, in 480. His life and legacy have left an indelible mark on Christian monasticism and European history.

Early Life and Retreat to Subiaco

Benedict was sent to Rome for his education, but the moral decay and degenerate lifestyle of his fellow students deeply troubled him. At the young age of 20, seeking a life of greater spiritual discipline, he withdrew to the mountain of Subiaco. It was here that he first encountered the profound spiritual battles that would shape his future.

Triumph Over Temptation

One of the most vivid accounts of his early monastic life involves a severe temptation. The Devil brought to his mind the image of a beautiful woman he had once known, inflaming him with intense desire. In a radical act of penance and self-mortification, Benedict stripped off his clothes and rolled into a thorny bush until his body was covered in wounds. This physical pain served to cure the spiritual wounds of his soul, a testament to his unwavering commitment to holiness.

Leadership and Opposition

Benedict’s reputation for holiness and wisdom grew, and he was invited to become the abbot of a group of monks in Vicovaro. However, his strict rules clashed with their lax lifestyle, leading them to plot his murder. They attempted to poison him, but as Benedict made the sign of the cross over the chalice of wine, it shattered, revealing the treachery. Benedict then returned to Subiaco.

Struggles and Founding of Monte Cassino

In Subiaco, Benedict faced further trials. A jealous local priest named Florentius tried to poison him with tainted bread and later attempted to corrupt Benedict’s monks with prostitutes. To escape these temptations, Benedict left Subiaco in 530 and founded a new monastery at Monte Cassino.

The Rule of St. Benedict

At Monte Cassino, Benedict established a community based on his famous Rule, encapsulated by the motto “Ora et Labora” (Pray and Work). This Rule prescribed a balanced life of prayer, manual labor, sacred reading, and works of charity. Monks were to devote eight hours to prayer, eight hours to sleep, and eight hours to work and study.

Legacy and Patronage

Benedict’s wisdom and spiritual insight gained him the respect of many, including Totila, King of the Goths. When Totila sent a general disguised as himself to test Benedict, the saint immediately saw through the ruse, prompting Totila to visit Benedict in person and show his respect.

Benedict died in 547, still a brother among his monks, but his influence continued to grow. He was later declared the Patron of Europe, a testament to the profound impact his monastic reforms had on the continent. The Benedictine Order has since given the Church 50 Popes, 7,000 Bishops, and 40,000 saints.

St. Benedict’s life is a testament to the power of spiritual discipline, the triumph over temptation, and the enduring legacy of monasticism. His Rule continues to guide monks and nuns around the world, and his life story inspires countless individuals to pursue a life of prayer, work, and holiness.