St Peter’s Anglican Church

St Benedict of Nursia - July 11

Abbot of Monte Cassino

Benedict has been called the patriarch of western monasticism. He was born about the year 480 in Nursia, north of Rome, and was educated in Nursia and later in Rome. Benedict was not pleased with what he saw there. The disintegration of the western part of the Roman Empire was showing itself in the break down of law and order, the political instability of the city, and the corruption of social life. In common with a number of others, Benedict found an alternative lifestyle attractive, and he withdrew to a solitary life at Subiaco, about 60 kilome-tres east of Rome. For three years he lived in a cave at Subiaco, spending his time in prayer and contemplation. His eventual reputation for balance and moderation was won by self-discipline and experience.

Benedict, although he had cut himself off from the world, became known. Eventually disci-ples gathered around him, and his hermitage became a monastery. Monastic life at Subiaco continued peacefully for about twenty-five years, and Benedict began developing the rule for which he became famous. Then a series of local incidents, possibly involving jealousy, began a persecution aimed at getting rid of Benedict. Benedict’s reaction was to leave Subiaco with some of his monks and migrate to Monte Cassino, midway between Rome and Naples. He did not intend founding an order, and was not ordained.
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