just.

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 life-style attractive, and he withdrew to a solitary life at Subiaco, about 60 kilometres 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 disciples 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.

At Monte Cassino Benedict completed the work on his rule for monastic life. Although he drew on existing rules from Cassian and Basil of Caesarea and the anonymous work known as the Rule of the Master, Benedict stamped the rules with his own personality. The Benedictine Rule demonstrates a remarkable balance of work and rest, prayer and study. It offered a complete compendium for the management of a monastic community, giving order in a framework that was flexible, considerate and workable. Benedict was himself the very exemplar of his description of the abbot: wise, discreet, flexible, knowledgeable in God’s law, a spiritual father to the community. Benedict’s rule became a pattern for monastic life in Europe for many centuries and is still observed in Benedictine monasteries today. Its flexibility enabled the rule to be adapted to the needs of different monasteries. For hundreds of years Benedictine monasteries were the libraries and chief cultural centres of Europe. They preserved the learning of classical antiquity for future generations, and became centres of hospitality, medicine and agriculture.

Although Benedict intended his rule for his monastic community, its influence has spread beyond that. The Daily Offices in the Book of Common Prayer are essentially the offices of the Benedictine Rule adapted and simplified for use by the ‘secular’ (i.e. non-monastic) worshippers in England. Because the rule is deeply rooted in Scripture, many clergy and lay people have found it a helpful guide to spirituality.

Benedict was abbot of Monte Cassino for seventeen years and died about the year 550. The cult of Benedict was mainly local in character until the monastic reforms of the tenth century, when it became widespread.

For Liturgical Use

Benedict was born in Nursia, Italy, about 480. As a young man he sought to serve God by living in solitude. He soon attracted disciples, and a community grew up around him. When he was about fifty, he moved to Monte Cassino, where he remained abbot for seventeen years. During that time he wrote his rule, which shaped the pattern of monastic life all over Europe and is still observed in the Benedictine Order. The intention of the rule was that by living in humility and obedience monks would learn to love God. Benedict died about the year 550.

Sentence

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praise to your name, O Most High, to tell of your love in the morning and of your faithfulness during the night.    Psalm 92:1,2

Collects

Everloving God,
you enabled your servant Benedict
to establish wise rules for community life
and to lead by his example of obedience and humility;
help us by your Spirit
to walk with willing hearts
in the discipline of the Lord’s service;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Jesus,
your yoke is easy, your burden is light,
as was the rule which Benedict took on himself
and offered his followers;
help us, when we turn to you
to go humbly, step by step.

Psalms    134    119:57-64

Readings

Proverbs 2:1-6        The Lord gives wisdom
1 Corinthians 12:4-13    Members of one body
Luke 18:18-30        To win eternal life

Post Communion Sentence

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.        1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

This event

Users

“Would to God that all the Lord's people were Prophets.” Num. 11:29

Join in and add to the JUSTwiki today. Stories, reflection, news, comment. Be heard. Be just.

Login / Register »

• Subscribe to Just Living.
• Give it up website.