July 11 St. Benedict of Nursia

The lives of the saints are riddled with the phrase “Benedictine Rule” and “Benedictine monastery”. But who was this Benedict who inspired so many.

Benedict was born around 480 ad in Umbria, Italy.He was twin brother to St. Scholastica.  A highly disciplined student, he became frustrated by the other students lack of focus. He quit school and went off to live in a cave. There is developed a following of people who liked caves and prayers. He little group became so large a local abbot asked him to head a monastery. But his he funny rules about living in community – a night light on at all times in the dormitory and everyone must take a turn cooking, no matter how dangerous they may be in the kitchen – caused the monks to rebel. One group attempted to poison him, but he blessed the cup and rendered it harmless. He retreated back to cave dwelling, but his continued to attract followers. Eventually, he wrote out, in excruciating detail, how to successfully run a religious community. These rules work as well today as they did back in the day. From the call to read out loud during meals, to attention to prayer to the exhortation of combining obedience and cheerfulness.

If anyone would like to read about the Benedictine Rule in practice in modern times, I would direct you to A Cloister Walk by Kathleen Norris.