Born twenty years before the first days of the sixth century, St. Benedict of Nursia remains one of the most influential individuals in the history of the Church, a remarkable fact for he remained a relative unknown for years after his death. To place him in world history aligns his birth with the passing of the first Pope Benedict, a likely namesake. St. Benedict and Mohammed, the founder of Islam, were contemporaries. Civil unrest in Rome, and the threat of war nearer his birthplace in the eastern provinces, figured greatly in the saint’s personal and spiritual development. He chose the solitary life of a hermit, yet attracted followers, and settled into the hills of Monte Cassino near Naples. There, St. Benedict built a renowned monastery and school and completed his celebrated rules for monastic life, The Rule of St. Benedict. Numerous related religious orders adapted The Rule for their use, among them the Cistercians and the Benedictine Sisters, and St. Benedict’s influence—in worship, in service, and in personal conduct—is felt far beyond the walls of the Church monastery he called home.

A familiar prayer attributed to St. Benedict mirrors the spiritual life framed by the Scriptures, Church teaching and The Rule. The concerns of personal piety, a regard for others, and an awareness of both temporal and eternal consequences are illustrated by the opening and closing phrases: “O Lord, I place myself in Your hands and dedicate myself to You. I pledge myself to do Your will in all things: To love the Lord God with all my heart, all my soul, all my strength. Not to kill, not to steal, not to covet, not to bear false witness, to honor all persons. Not to do to another what I should not want done to myself. Not to seek after pleasures.”  

“To put my trust in God. To refer the good I see in myself to God. To refer any evil I see in myself to myself. To fear the day of judgment. To be in dread of hell. To desire eternal life with spiritual longing. To keep death before my eyes daily. To keep constant watch over my actions. To remember that God sees me everywhere. To call upon Christ for defense against evil thoughts that arise in my heart. To guard my tongue against wicked speech. To avoid much speaking. To avoid idle talk. Not to seek to appear clever. To read only what is good to read. To pray often. To ask forgiveness daily for my sins, and to seek ways to amend my life. To obey my superiors in all things rightful. Not to desire to be thought holy, but to seek holiness. To fulfill the commandments of God by good works. To love chastity. To hate no one. Not to be jealous or envious of anyone. Not to love strife. Not to love pride. To honor the aged. To pray for my enemies. To make peace after a quarrel, before the setting of the sun. Never to despair of your mercy, O God of mercy.”