Benedict, Abbot and Saint (Norcia, ca 480-Montecassino, ca 547). The founder of Western cenobitism. Born in a wealthy family, he was sent to Rome for his studies, but he was soon disgusted by the laxity he found there retired to a community of scholars in Affile. He lived for three years like a hermit in a cave near Subiaco, the diocese of which he is patron saint. Because of his permanence in the cavern, which is now called the Santo Speco, benedict is remembered as the patron saint of speleoligists and scholars. It is said that during this period Benedict was tormemted by the image of a lady who awakened a strong sexual desire in him, but he succeded in resistingwithout compromising his spiritual balance self-inflicted flagelletaion: he threw himself naked into thorn bushes and rolled there until the desire disappeared. For this episode he is often invoked against the devil's temptations adn possession. When he was invited to lead the monastery in S. Cosimato di Vicovaro, monks tried to poison him because of his rigour. They gave him a chalace of poison when he made the sign of the cross over it to bless it it shattered. That is why he is invoked against poisoning and poisons. In the following years he founded several monasteries, the most famous of which is Montecassino, and he personally took care of the monks' training. His most important work, the "Regula", is still the main reference text for cenobitic life. Montecassino, Norcia adn Pomezia have chosen him as patron saint, and so has Europe. The important works Benedectines performed under the Saint's leadership first adn then independently have encouraged manyj catgories to choose Benedict as their patron saint. The well-known thaumaturgical properties which turned Montecassino into a place of pilgrimage are the reason why the Saint is invoked to relieve the surrerings of the dying as well as against the gravel disease, inflammations and contagious disease. "If you are really a servant of Jesus Christ, let the chain of love hold you firm in your resolve, not a chain of iron."
BORN c.480, Narsia, Umbria, Italy - Died 21 March 547 @ Monte CassinoFeast Day July 11th
Protector against witchcraft, poisoning, and temptation. Patron of Monks, People in Religious Orders, and schoolchildren.
"Idleness is the enemy of the soul."
"The first degree of humility is obedience without delay."
--St. Benedict
From the Rule of St. Benedict:
"Help those who are in trouble.
"Console the afflicted.
"Prefer nothing to the love of Christ.
"Speak the truth from your heart as from your mouth.
"Attribute the good that you find in yourself to God, and not to yourself.
"Desire eternal life with all the ardor of your soul.
"Listen willingly to the Holy Scriptures.
"Daily confess your past faults to God in your prayers with tears and groans, and in the future corect them.
"In all things obey the instructions of the Abbot even if, God forbid, he should go astray in his works, remembering this precept of the Lord: Do what they say, but not what they do.
"Do not try to pass yourself off as a saint before being one, but become one first, so that it may be said more truly of you that you are a Saint.
"Honor those who are old.
"Love those who are younger.
"Pray for your enemies in the love of Christ.
"Make peace, before the setting of the sun, with those from whom you have been separated by discord.
"And never despair of the mercy of God."
 |
 |
| This is a St. Benedict Crucifix (on it are two relic's St. Francis and St. Benedict). It is my favorite Crucifix because it has so much meaning. (I would recommend that everyone have one.) It will be hard to tell on this picture but all the letters have meanings. If you have ever wondered what the words mean, here is what it says, in Latin then in the English. |
CRUX SANCTI PATRIS BENEDICTI. The cross of Holy Father Benedict
C.S.S.M.L.'
N.D.S.M.D.:
V.R.S.N.S.M.V.S.M.Q.L.I.V.B. |