Saint Benedict In Subiaco

Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Benedict, one of the great saints of Western Christianity. Born in the late 400s, Benedict is most remembered for writing the first monastic rule of life for the Church of Western Europe.

Benedict renounced his noble background and chose to live in a cave as a hermit near the Italian town of Subiaco. After spending three years in the cave with very little human contact, he was asked to lead a group of monks. This first experience as an abbot almost resulted in his death since the monks tried to poison him! He returned to his cave but many men came to Subiaco attracted by his holiness and discipline. Benedict eventually left the cave and founded several monasteries, the first and most famous being Monte Cassino. Some of you may be familiar with Monte Cassino since it was bombed in 1944 and rebuilt after the war.

The most recognizable line of his rule is also the mantra of Benedictine monks around the world today, “ora et labora,” pray and work.Early on Benedictine monks worked tirelessly for the evangelization of Western Europe opening monasteries throughout the continent.These monasteries became important learning and trading centers.

The legacy of Saint Benedict lives on today through the monastic tradition of the Church. It also continues to impact practices, disciplines and various spiritualities within the Church. The life of Saint Benedict is a testament to how God can take the good we do and multiply it for His greater honor and glory. Saint Benedict of Nursia, pray for us!