Quick Facts:

• Born: c. 480 CE Nursia, Italy; Died: c. 547 CE, Monte Cassino, Italy

• Best known as: the Father of Western Monasticism and the founder of the Benedictine Order of Catholic monks

• Published works: The Rule of St. Benedict

• Motto: Ut in omnibus glorificatur Deus, (That in all things God may be glorified) and ora et labora, (prayer and work)

St. Benedict of Nursia

What we know of St. Benedict's life comes from book 2 of St. Gregory the Great's Dialogues. What we know of St. Benedict's character comes from his only published work, the Rule of St. Benedict. As a young man, St. Benedict saw no value in the hedonistic Roman lifestyle and retreated to a cave near Subiaco. His attempt at life as a lonely hermit was ultimately unsuccessful as his piety attracted followers. He came to realize that aceticism was not the best path to unity with God. People need community and a balanced lifestyle to be able to devote equal time to prayer, work, others, and self. The communities he founded follow his Rule, which outlines how to live a life of balance. In all things God is glorified; in work as much as prayer.

Not always popular

Among the many stories recounted in St. Gregory's Dialogues, there are two that stand out as particularly sensational. Though he promoted balance and charity, Benedict was a stern father to his monks. Some began to resent his strictness, and tried to poison him with bread. Suddenly, a raven swooped from the sky and plucked the bread from Benedict's hand, saving him. On a different occasion his monks tried to poison him again with wine. As Benedict said the blessing over the meal, his chalice shattered. Once again, the end of his life would not be decided by any human! St. Benedict is often pictured with a raven, bread, and a broken chalice as symbols of these events. You can find them on the St. Benedict medal, pictured above.