Story of Saint Benedict | St. Benedict | Stories of Saints | English

Summary

The script narrates the inspiring life of St. Benedict, born in 480 AD in Italy. From his affluent upbringing to his quest for spiritual enlightenment, the story unfolds his journey to monastic life. Benedict's unwavering faith, discipline, and miracles, including walking on water and resurrecting the dead, earned him respect and established him as the founder of the Benedictine Order. His foresight of his own death and the establishment of monastic rules mark his legacy, celebrated on his feast day, March 21st.

Takeaways

• 🎓 St. Benedict was born in Nora, Italy, in 480 AD into a wealthy family and had a twin sister named Scholastica.
• 📚 At the age of 20, Benedict was sent to Rome for advanced studies where he was exposed to the city's corruption and moral decay.
• 🏞 Disillusioned by the lifestyle in Rome, Benedict decided to leave the city and seek a life of solitude in the mountains.
• 🙏 Benedict lived as a hermit, praying and performing miracles, which attracted followers and respect from the local Christians.
• 🏰 Despite his reluctance, Benedict was invited to become the abbot of a monastery with monks eager to learn from his disciplined ways.
• 🚫 Benedict faced resistance and even attempts on his life, including being poisoned by monks who disagreed with his strict rules.
• 🌱 He founded 12 monasteries in the Subiaco valley, appointing superiors and constructing schools, influencing the spread of monastic life.
• 🤝 Benedict was known for his miraculous acts, including restoring a broken wheat sifter, providing water during a scarcity, and even raising a dead boy.
• 🦅 He encountered a blackbird, a symbol of the devil, and overcame a severe temptation of the flesh through prayer and self-mortification.
• 👑 St. Benedict had an encounter with King Totila, predicting his reign and death, demonstrating his foresight and spiritual wisdom.
• ✝️ St. Benedict is celebrated for his contributions to monasticism, with his 'Rule of St. Benedict' setting a standard for communal living and discipline, and is revered until his death on March 21st, 547.

Q & A

What was the name of the small village in Italy where St. Benedict was born?

St. Benedict was born in a small remote village named Nora.

What did St. Benedict's parents decide to name him, and what does it mean?

St. Benedict's parents named him Benedict, which means 'the blessed one'.

Why did St. Benedict leave Rome and his studies at the university?

St. Benedict left Rome and his studies because he was unhappy with the corrupt and depraved environment and the wayward life of his friends.

What was the first miracle St. Benedict performed?

The first miracle St. Benedict performed was magically restoring a broken wheat sifter by just waving his hands.

How did St. Benedict respond to the shepherds who mistook him for an animal?

St. Benedict calmly introduced himself and explained why he was living in the mountains, which led to the shepherds respecting him and spreading his reputation.

What struggle did St. Benedict face with the devil, and how did he overcome it?

St. Benedict faced a violent temptation of the flesh, where the devil brought an image of a woman before his mind. He overcame it by throwing himself into a thicket of briars and nettles, inflicting physical pain to distract from the temptation.

Why did St. Benedict initially refuse to become the abbot of a nearby monastery?

St. Benedict initially refused because he knew about the lack of discipline in the monastery and believed his way of life was completely different from theirs.

What did St. Benedict do when he was poisoned by the monks of the monastery?

After being poisoned, St. Benedict forgave the monks, told them to find another abbot, and then returned to his cave to live in solitude once again.

How did St. Benedict address the scarcity of water in the valley?

St. Benedict guided his monks to climb a rock where they found water, which was considered a miracle.

What happened when King Totila wanted to test St. Benedict's miraculous powers?

St. Benedict recognized that the person who visited him was not King Totila but a guard in disguise, demonstrating his wisdom and insight.

How did St. Benedict foresee his own death, and what did he do before he passed away?

St. Benedict foresaw his death and informed his disciples. Six days before his death, he had his grave opened. He took his last holy communion in the Oratory, supported by the monks, and then passed away.