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St. Benedict

"Patriarch of Monastic Life"

St. Benedict was born in 480 in Norcia, Italy. He was the greatest mystic and charismatic leader of his time. Pope St. Gregory the Great, a Benedictine monk himself, writes: "He was revered for the holiness of his life. Blessed by God both in grace and in name... Even while still living in the world, free to enjoy all it had to offer, he saw how empty it was..." His holiness of life is attested to by the many people who sought him out to be their spiritual father in seeking God and living the Gospel. Of his mystical life St. Gregory writes: "While standing in prayer in the dead of the night, Benedict suddenly beheld a flood of light shining down from above more brilliant than the sun, with every trace of darkness cleared away... The whole world was gathered up before his eyes in a single ray of light."

As a charismatic leader Benedict founded fourteen monasteries, including the world-renowned abbeys of Subiaco and Monte Cassino. St. Gregory attests: "(He was) "outstanding for the wisdom of his teaching. He wrote a Rule for monks that is remarkable for its discretion and clarity of language." Over the past 1500 years countless numbers of men and women have lived the Rule of Benedict. More than 57,000 of Benedict’s followers have been recognized as saints.

Even today, the Rule is a proven and valuable guide for modern women and men. 

Follow these links for more information on St. Benedict, his Rule and links to other OSB sites.