SAINT BENEDICT
Even more importantly, the spirituality of Western Christianity has been shaped by the famous Rule Benedict devised for his monks. With this Rule, he provided a “school of the Lord’s service” which embraced a program of liturgical prayer, sacred study, and work, lived socially in community under one common father, with a noticeable emphasis on peace, moderation (especially as regards austerities), and charity towards all men.
Let the blessed Abbot Benedict intercede for us, O Lord. May his prayers win us Your help, since our own actions cannot merit it. Through Our Lord . . .
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Girded with a faith, and the performance of good works, let us follow in Christ’s path by the guidance of the Gospel; then we shall deserve to see him “who has called us into his kingdom.” If we wish to attain a dwelling place in his kingdom, we shall not reach it unless we hasten there by our good deeds. Just as there exists an evil fervor, a bitter spirit, which divides us from God and leads us to hell, so there is a good fervor which sets us apart from evil inclinations and leads us toward God and eternal life. No one should follow what he considers to be good for himself, but rather what seems good for another. Let them put Christ before all else; and may he lead us all to everlasting life. ~from the Rule of Saint Benedict
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Pictorial Lives of the Saints – Saint Benedict, Abbot
Saint Benedict, blessed by grace and in name, was born of a noble Italian family about 480. When a boy he was sent to Rome, and there placed in the public schools. Scared by the licentiousness of the Roman youth, he fled to the desert mountains of Subiaco, and was directed by the Holy Spirit into a cave, deep, craggy, and almost inaccessible. He lived there for three years, unknown to any one save the holy monk Romanus, who clothed him with the monastic habit and brought him food. But the fame of his sanctity soon gathered disciples round him. The rigor of his rule, however, drew on him the hatred of some of the monks, and one of them mixed poison with the abbot’s drink. But when the Saint made the sign of the cross on the poisoned bowl, it broke and fell in pieces to the ground. After he had built twelve monasteries at Subiaco, he removed to Monte Cassino, where he founded an abbey in which he wrote his rule, and lived until death. By prayer he did all things: wrought miracles, saw visions, and prophesied. A peasant, whose boy had just died, ran in anguish to Saint Benedict, crying out, “Give me back my son!” The monks joined the poor man in his entreaties; but the Saint replied, ” Such miracles are not for us to work, but for the blessed Apostles. Why will you lay upon me a burden which my weakness cannot bear? ” Moved at length by compassion he knelt down, and prostrating himself upon the body of the child prayed earnestly. Then rising, he cried out, ” Behold not, O Lord, my sins, but the faith of this man,- who desireth the life of his son, and restore to the body that soul which Thou hast taken away.” Hardly had he spoken when the child’s body began to tremble, and taking it by the hand he restored it alive to its father. Six days before his death he ordered his grave to be opened, and fell ill of a fever. On the sixth day he requested to be borne into the chapel, and, having received the Body and Blood of Christ, with hands uplifted, and leaning on one of his disciples, he calmly expired in prayer on the 21st of March, 543.
Reflection – The Saints never feared to undertake any work, however arduous, for God, because distrusting self they relied for assistance and support wholly upon prayer.
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RESOURCES:
- St. Benedict Of Nursia Coloring Page – St. Anne’s Helper
- St. Benedict Coloring Page – Catholic Playground
- St. Benedict Medal Front Coloring Page
- St. Benedict Medal Back Coloring Page
- Benedictine Car Magnet – Use Code: SSCAMP for a discount & to support Catholic Youth
- Life of Our Most Holy Father Saint Benedict, by Pope Saint Gregory the Great
- Rule of Saint Benedict
- Latin Exorcism and Blessing Prayer for the St. Benedict’s Medal
SERMONS & AUDIO:
- Personal Prayer & Lessons from the Rule of St. Benedict ~ Fr. Cassian Folsom, O.S.B.
- St. Benedict & Humility
- Sacramentals: Brown Scapular & St Benedict Medal
- Saving Civilization: The Story of St. Benedict of Nursia – Starts @ 8:41
- Sacramentals ~ Fr Ripperger
- The Rule of Saint Benedict
- The Idea of Saint Benedict, by Alleluia Audio Books
- Saint Benedict, by Frances Alice Forbes – audio book
I’ve partnered with Catholic Car Magnets to offer authentically Catholic magnets. This small Catholic-family owned business will donate a percentage of each sale to help youth attend a FSSP Summer Camp, serve on a Mission, or participate in an age-appropriate virtue program.
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