Saint Benedict More Saints
From the Rule of Benedict, abbot (480-547)
Saint Benedict - Painting by Perugino 1495Put Christ before everything
Whenever you begin any good work you should first of all make a most pressing appeal to Christ our Lord to bring it to perfection; that he, who has honored us by counting us among his children, may never be grieved by our evil deeds. For we must always serve him with the good things he has given us in such a way that he may never - as an angry father disinherits his sons or even like a master who inspires fear - grow impatient with our sins and consign us to everlasting punishment, like wicked servants who would not follow him to glory.
So we should at long last rouse ourselves, prompted by the words of Scripture: Now is the time for us to rise from sleep. Our eyes should be open to the God-given light, and we should listen in wonderment to the message of the divine voice as it daily cries out: Today, if you shall hear his voice, harden not your hearts; and again: If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. And what does the Spirit say? Come my sons, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Hurry, while you have the light of life, so that death's darkness may not overtake you.
And the Lord as he seeks the one who will do his work, among the throng of people to whom he makes that appeal, says again: Which of you wants to live to the full; who loves long life and the enjoyment of prosperity? And, if when you hear this you say, I do, God says to you: If you desire true and everlasting life, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceit; turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. And when you have done these things my eyes will be upon you and my ears will be attentive to your prayers; and before you call upon my name I shall say to you: Behold, I am here. What could be more delightful, dearest brothers, than the voice of our Lord's invitation to us? In his loving kindness he reveals to us the way of life.
And so, girded with faith and the performance of good works, let us follow in his paths 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. Monks should put this fervor into practice with an overflowing love: that is, they should surpass each other in mutual esteem, accept their weaknesses, either of body or of behavior, with the utmost patience; and vie with each other in acceding to requests. No one should follow what he considers to be good for himself, but rather what seems good for another. They should display brotherly love in a chaste manner; fear God in a spirit of love; revere their abbot with a genuine and submissive affection. Let them put Christ before all else; and may he lead us all to everlasting life.Source: The Liturgy of the Hours - Office of Readings
Saint Benedict (480-547) was born at Nursia in Umbria about the year 480. Educated at
Rome, he began the eremitic life at Subiaco where he gathered disciples, and then departed for Monte Cassino. There he established the famous monastery of Monte Cassino and composed the Benedictine Rule. Because this rule was subsequently adopted throughout Europe, he received the title of patriarch of Western monasticism.
On February 15, 1944, in the final stage ofWorld War II, allied forces believed German forces occupied the monastery at Monte Cassino. Later documents established that the Germans avoided the monastery itself. General Eisenhower ordered the monastery destroyed and in three hours 226 bombers reduced it to rubble. Its reconstruction was financed and completed by the Italian government.
Saint Benedict died on March 21, 547, but since the end of the eighth century, his memorial has been observed on July 11.