Saint Benedict or Saint Benedict of Nursia believed to be born on the year 480 in Nursia known today as Norcia of the province of Umbria, a region that can be found today in Modern Central Italy. We know little about his family except that he has a sister called Scholastica. Commonly believed as of noble origin. Sent to Rome for education but retreated himself because he revolted against the licentiousness of his fellow students.
He left Rome and settled himself with his nurse in a village thirty miles from Rome called as Enfide. During his stay he discovered a place called Subiaco or Sublacom literally means beneath the lake named after an artificial lake created around after the time of Christ's birth. It is here that Benedict met a monk name Romanus of Sobiaco whose monastery can be found nearby. After some discussion with the monk Romanus that Benedict believes that he was called in this kind of life and received from the Romanus the habit of the contemplative life and live in the cave for three years alone.
Though live in solitude his presence were felt among the people along the vicinity including on the nearby monastery aside from that of Romanus. It was been clearly known when their abbot died and the monks visited him and requested him too lead their lives. The request of the community of monks came from the idea that the community will gain from the fame that Benedict is receiving hoping to increase the offerings. Benedict refused the first offer thinking that their ways of life are different from his strict and severe monastic discipline. Because of their persistence he accepted their offer. Since his way of life is something new and unbearable for the monks, they decided to get rid of him by trying to poison him but he survived by blessing the drink or food they bring him.
Because of his sanctity and simplicity of life as well as integrity of character many people come to joined him. He founded twelve monasteries along the are of Sobiaco and the great Benedictine monastery on Monte Cassino. The rule he used in his monastery is called the Benedictine Rule which was the template of other monasteries and religious life for centuries.
Tradition believe that he died of March 21 543 or 547. After the Second Vatican Council, during the revision of the General Roman Calendar was move to July 7 with new developments on the discovery of the Gallic calendars that place his death on July 11.
This saint is honored in different faith traditions of Anglican Communion, Orthodox Church, Lutheran Church and of course on Roman Catholic Church
Europe
Kidney disease
Poisoning
Schoolchildren
Prayer to Saint Benedict
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