Who is St. Benedict?

Summary

The video script narrates the life of Saint Benedict, born in 480 AD, who shaped Western monasticism with his 'Rule'. Raised during the fall of the Roman Empire, Benedict sought solitude and performed miracles. After enduring trials, including an assassination attempt, he founded monasteries and wrote guiding principles for monks. His sister, St. Scholastica, established a female Benedictine community. Benedict's legacy, through prayer and preservation of texts, contributed to European civilization amidst chaos. He is revered as the father of Western monasticism and the patron saint of Europe.

Takeaways

• 🏰 St. Benedict, born in 482, was a Roman noble who sought a life of solitude and spiritual growth amidst the chaos of a fallen Roman Empire.
• 🧙‍♂️ Known for his early miracles, Benedict's journey led him to become a hermit in a cave at Subiaco, where he was sustained by the secret kindness of St. Romano.
• 🛡 After battling temptations and the devil, St. Benedict was asked to lead a community of monks, which eventually grew to resent his strict lifestyle.
• 🍷 An attempt to poison him revealed the monks' treachery, leading St. Benedict to retreat once more into the wilderness to seek God in solitude.
• 🏘️ Benedict founded 12 monasteries, sharing his love of Christ and establishing a set of principles for monks to live by, known as the Rule of St. Benedict.
• 📜 The Rule of St. Benedict was created to guide the daily lives and spiritual practices of monks, emphasizing a life of seeking Christ.
• 👭 St. Scholastica, his twin sister, established the first Benedictine community for women at the base of Monte Cassino.
• 🕊️ St. Benedict's death on March 21st, 547, marked the end of his life but the beginning of the spread of Benedictine monasticism across Europe.
• 📚 Amidst barbarian invasions, Benedictine monks played a crucial role in preserving and copying texts, maintaining Christian culture as civilization struggled.
• 🌳 The Benedictine Order is credited with helping to plant and nourish the seeds of a new civilization through their dedication to prayer and work.
• 🙏 Today, St. Benedict is celebrated as the father of Western monasticism and the patron saint of Europe, with his principles continuing to guide monks worldwide.

Q & A

Who were the Benedictine monks and what was their purpose?

The Benedictine monks were followers of Saint Benedict, living by the principles laid out in the Rule of Saint Benedict. Their purpose was to live a life of seeking Christ, prayer, and work, contributing to the preservation of culture and knowledge during times of upheaval.

What is the significance of the Rule of Saint Benedict?

The Rule of Saint Benedict is a set of guidelines that Benedictine monks have followed for over 1,500 years. It provides a framework for their spiritual life, emphasizing prayer, work, and community, and has significantly influenced Western monasticism.

Who was Saint Benedict and when was he born?

Saint Benedict, also known as Benedict of Nursia, was born in the year 480. He was a Roman noble who later became the founder of Western monasticism and is credited with establishing the Rule of Saint Benedict.

Why did Saint Benedict leave Rome and what did he seek in the wilderness?

Saint Benedict left Rome because he was disillusioned by the licentiousness and conflict that followed the fall of the Roman Empire. In the wilderness, he sought solitude and a closer relationship with God, eventually founding monasteries and writing the Rule.

What is the story behind Saint Benedict's time in the cave at Subiaco?

Saint Benedict lived as a hermit in a cave at Subiaco, where he was sustained by the secret kindness of the monk St. Romano, who lowered bread to him by a rope. He battled temptation and the devil for three years before being asked to lead a community of monks.

How did Saint Benedict's life in the wilderness influence the development of the Rule?

Saint Benedict's experiences in the wilderness, including his battles with temptation and his solitary life, shaped his understanding of monastic life and directly influenced the principles he later wrote down in the Rule.

What happened when the monks tried to poison Saint Benedict?

The monks, resenting Saint Benedict's radical way of life, attempted to poison his wine. However, when he blessed the wine, the glass shattered, revealing their treachery.

What is the connection between Saint Benedict and his twin sister, St. Scholastica?

St. Scholastica, Saint Benedict's twin sister, established the first Benedictine community of women. Both siblings were dedicated to monastic life and contributed to the spread of Benedictine monasticism.

How did Saint Benedict's death impact the Benedictine Order and Western monasticism?

Saint Benedict's death on March 21st, 547, did not halt the spread of his teachings. Instead, his followers continued to live out his directive, and his principles became the foundation of Western monasticism, influencing the development of European civilization.

What is Saint Benedict's legacy, and why is he important to Western civilization?

Saint Benedict is hailed as the father of Western monasticism and the patron saint of Europe. His legacy includes the establishment of monasteries, the preservation of knowledge during the barbarian invasions, and the promotion of a culture of prayer and work that helped shape Western civilization.

What is the significance of the date March 21st in the context of Saint Benedict's life?

March 21st is significant as it marks the day of Saint Benedict's death in 547. It is a day that is remembered by the Benedictine Order and is associated with the continuation of his spiritual legacy.