Stories of the Saints
Inspiring Lives of Faith and Virtue
By: Ulysses C. Ybiernas | August 4, 2021
Saint Benedict of Nursia: The Patron of Europe
In the heart of Umbria, Italy, in the 5th century, there was a young man named Benedict, born into a wealthy and noble family. His parents, highly respected in the region, envisioned a life of prestige and honor for their son. Benedict, however, felt an emptiness inside that riches could not fill. While his life was one of luxury, it was also one of distraction. He felt that the world around him was too concerned with power, wealth, and pleasure, leaving no room for the true meaning of life.
As he grew, the young Benedict became more and more disillusioned by the excess and corruption of Roman society. He longed for something more, something deeper than what the world could offer. At the age of 20, he decided to leave behind his comfortable life and pursue the life of a monk. He retreated to a solitary mountain called Subiaco, far from the distractions of his family and the temptations of the city. There, he sought to find peace in God, away from the noise of the world.
Benedict found a cave at the base of the mountain, where he could live a simple life of prayer, fasting, and contemplation. For three years, he lived in near-total solitude, meditating on God’s Word and striving to grow in virtue. In this period of isolation, he faced great challenges, temptations to return to his former life, the harshness of the wilderness, and an ever-present battle with the doubts and fears that arise in silence. But through his struggles, Benedict grew stronger in his faith. His prayer life deepened, and his heart became more aligned with God’s will.
One day, a group of local monks who lived in a nearby monastery invited Benedict to visit. Their community was disordered, their life one of self-indulgence and quarrels. When Benedict arrived, he was disturbed by their lack of discipline and the chaos that surrounded them. The monks were living without a guiding rule, and they had lost sight of their spiritual purpose. Benedict, with his deep spiritual insight, knew that he could not stay there. He tried to reform them, but they rejected his teachings and grew angry. In frustration, Benedict left, returning once more to the solitude of his cave.
But word of Benedict’s holiness soon spread, and more and more people came to seek his wisdom. Eventually, he gathered a small group of followers who wished to live the same disciplined, devout life that he had embraced. Realizing that they needed a rule for their new community, Benedict wrote a set of guidelines to help them live out their spiritual commitments. This became known as the Rule of Saint Benedict.
The Rule emphasized moderation in all things, prayer, work, rest, and study, encouraging monks to live a life of balance and humility. It called for a strict daily schedule of prayer and labor, with periods of silence, work in the fields, and study. Benedict also emphasized obedience and love for one another, urging his followers to treat each other with kindness and respect, no matter their rank or station in life.
His Rule was simple yet profound: "Ora et labora", prayer and work. It formed the basis for monastic life in the centuries to come, becoming the foundation of Benedictine spirituality. The Rule was not just for monks; its principles resonated deeply with anyone who sought a balanced, purposeful life rooted in God.
Benedict’s community thrived, and over time, he founded twelve monasteries, with the most famous being at Monte Cassino. It was here that he lived the last years of his life, continuing to lead his followers with wisdom and grace. He made it a point to stay humble, avoiding any form of arrogance or self-importance.
However, his life was not without its trials. One of the most dangerous moments came when Benedict was nearly poisoned. A group of jealous monks, who were disturbed by his growing influence, tried to kill him by offering him a cup of wine laced with poison. But as Benedict blessed the cup, it miraculously broke, sparing his life. Benedict, ever patient and humble, did not take revenge on those who sought to harm him. Instead, he continued to lead with love, praying for their conversion.
As Benedict’s life drew to a close, he knew his time on earth was near. His strength had waned, and he called his monks to gather around him in prayer. As he lay in his final moments, Benedict looked up toward heaven, lifted his hands, and said, “Father, I place my soul in Your hands.” His death was peaceful, a quiet surrender to the God he had served so faithfully throughout his life.
Saint Benedict's legacy lived on long after his death. The monasteries he established and the Rule he wrote became the backbone of Christian monasticism in the West. His followers spread across Europe, establishing countless communities that would carry out his vision of a life centered on prayer, work, and community.
St Benedict's tomb in Montecasino, Italy
Benedict’s journey from a life of luxury to one of profound simplicity and holiness offers us a powerful message: true fulfillment is not found in material wealth or worldly power, but in a life dedicated to God. His example teaches us that peace and joy are found when we trust in God’s plan for our lives, when we balance work and rest, and when we live in community with love and humility. Saint Benedict reminds us that the path to holiness is not easy, but it is a path worth walking, for it leads to eternal peace and fulfillment.
"Idleness is the enemy of the soul." - St. Benedict of Nursia