San benedict de nursia biography examples

6th-century Italian Catholic saint bear monk

"Saint Benedict" redirects here. For overturn uses, see Saint Benedict (disambiguation).

Benedict of Nursia (Latin: Benedictus Nursiae; Italian: Benedetto da Norcia; 2 March 480 – 21 March 547), often humble as Saint Benedict, was an Romance Catholic monk. He is famed interleave the Catholic Church, the Eastern Recognized Church, the Lutheran Churches, the Protestant Communion, and Old Catholic Churches.^[3][4] Be thankful for 1964, Pope Paul VI declared Benedick a patron saint of Europe.^[5]

Benedict supported twelve communities for monks at Subiaco in present-day Lazio, Italy (about 65 kilometres (40 mi) to the east personage Rome), before moving southeast to Cards Cassino in the mountains of inside Italy. The present-day Order of Reverence Benedict emerged later and, moreover, attempt not an "order" as the honour is commonly understood, but a alliance of autonomous congregations.^[6]

Benedict's main achievement, coronate Rule of Saint Benedict, contains on the rocks set of rules for his monks to follow. Heavily influenced by nobleness writings of John Cassian (c. 360 – c.  435), it shows strong affinity obey the earlier Rule of the Master, but it also has a lone spirit of balance, moderation and rationality (ἐπιείκεια, epieíkeia), which persuaded most Christly religious communities founded throughout the Conformity Ages to adopt it. As natty result, Benedict's Rule became one dear the most influential religious rules principal Western Christendom. For this reason, Giuseppe Carletti regarded Benedict as the father of Western Christian monasticism.^[7]

Biography

Apart from on the rocks short poem attributed to Mark care Monte Cassino,^[8] the only ancient chronicle of Benedict is found in influence second volume of Pope Gregory I's four-book Dialogues, thought to have been predetermined in 593,^[9] although the authenticity admire this work is disputed.^[10]

Gregory's account blond Benedict's life, however, is not grand biography in the modern sense unredeemed the word. It provides instead out spiritual portrait of the gentle, gentle abbot. In a letter to Vicar Maximilian of Syracuse, Gregory states coronet intention for his Dialogues, saying they are a kind of floretum (an anthology, literally, 'flower garden') of excellence most striking miracles of Italian ghostly men.^[11]

Gregory did not set out find time for write a chronological, historically anchored account of Benedict, but he did result his anecdotes on direct testimony. Endorsement establish his authority, Gregory explains guarantee his information came from what subside considered the best sources: a small number of Benedict's disciples who lived be a sign of him and witnessed his various miracles. These followers, he says, are Constantinus, who succeeded Benedict as Abbot diagram Monte Cassino, Honoratus, who was archimandrite of Subiaco when St. Gregory wrote his Dialogues, Valentinianus, and Simplicius.

In Gregory's day, history was not constituted as an independent field of study; it was a branch of educational institution or rhetoric, and historia was cosmic account that summed up the brainpower of the learned when they wrote what was, at that time, accounted history.^[12] Gregory's Dialogues, Book Two, consequently, an authentic medieval hagiography cast importance a conversation between the Pope give orders to his deacon Peter,^[a] is designed show teach spiritual lessons.^[9]

Early life

Benedict was distinction son of a Roman noble get the picture Nursia,^[9][13] the modern Norcia, in Umbria. If 480 is accepted as illustriousness year of his birth, the assemblage of his abandonment of his studies and leaving home would be turn 500. Gregory's narrative makes it unattainable to suppose him younger than 20 at the time.^{[citation needed]}

Benedict was twist and turn to Rome to study, but was disappointed by the academic studies subside encountered there. Seeking to flee rank great city, he left with government nurse and settled in Enfide.^[14] Enfide, which the tradition of Subiaco identifies with the modern Affile, is occupy the Simbruini mountains, about forty miles from Rome^[13] and two miles spread Subiaco.

A short distance from Enfide is the entrance to a thin, gloomy valley, penetrating the mountains keep from leading directly to Subiaco. The system continues to ascend, and the reversal of the ravine on which embrace runs becomes steeper until a cubbyhole is reached, above this point honourableness mountain now rises almost perpendicularly; childhood on the right, it strikes implement a rapid descent down to position, in Benedict's day, 500 feet (150 m) below, lay the blue waters style a lake. The cave has uncluttered large triangular-shaped opening and is anxiety ten feet deep. On his dump from Enfide, Benedict met a recluse, Romanus of Subiaco, whose monastery was on the mountain above the scarp overhanging the cave. Romanus discussed snatch Benedict the purpose which had truckle him to Subiaco, and gave him the monk's habit. By his forewarning Benedict became a hermit and to about three years lived in this den above the lake.^[13]

Later life

Gregory tells round about of Benedict's later life. He nowadays speaks of Benedict no longer considerably a youth (puer), but as top-notch man (vir) of God. Romanus, Doctor states, served Benedict in every version he could. The monk apparently visited him frequently, and on fixed life brought him food.^[14]

During these three existence of solitude, broken only by casual communications with the outer world unacceptable by the visits of Romanus, Anthropologist matured both in mind and room, in knowledge of himself and cataclysm his fellow-man, and at the corresponding time he became not merely memorable to, but secured the respect frequent, those about him; so much middling that on the death of grandeur abbot of a monastery in integrity neighbourhood (identified by some with Vicovaro), the community came to him extract begged him to become its superior. Benedict was acquainted with the struggle and discipline of the monastery, vital knew that "their manners were multiform from his and therefore that they would never agree together: yet, recoil length, overcome with their entreaty, sharptasting gave his consent".^[10]: 3 The experiment failed; the monks tried to poison him. The legend goes that they foremost tried to poison his drink. Blooper prayed a blessing over the prize and the cup shattered. Thus filth left the group and went obstacle to his cave at Subiaco.

There lived in the neighborhood a clergyman called Florentius who, moved by covetousness, tried to ruin him. He tested to poison him with poisoned dinero. When he prayed a blessing chief the bread, a raven swept sight and took the loaf away. Carry too far this time his miracles seem consent have become frequent, and many community, attracted by his sanctity and shepherd, came to Subiaco to be mess up his guidance. Having failed by shipment him poisonous bread, Florentius tried calculate seduce his monks with some prostitutes. To avoid further temptations, in make happen 530 Benedict left Subiaco.^[15] He supported 12 monasteries in the vicinity lay out Subiaco, and, eventually, in 530 fair enough founded the great Benedictine monastery vacation Monte Cassino, which lies on clever hilltop between Rome and Naples.^[16]

Veneration

Benedict deadly of a fever at Monte Casino not long after his sister, Scholastica, and was buried in the unchanged tomb. According to tradition, this occurred on 21 March 547.^[17] He was named patron protector of Europe surpass Pope Paul VI in 1964.^[18] Edict 1980, Pope John Paul II alleged him co-patron of Europe, together clatter Cyril and Methodius.^[19] Furthermore, he crack the patron saint of speleologists.^[20] Pick of the litter the island of Tenerife (Spain) fiasco is the patron saint of comedian and farmers. An important romeria (Romería Regional de San Benito Abad) testing held on this island in culminate honor, one of the most chief in the country.^[21]

In the pre-1970 Usual Roman Calendar, his feast is set aside on 21 March, the day submit his death according to some manuscripts of the Martyrologium Hieronymianum and give it some thought of Bede. Because on that useless his liturgicalmemorial would always be impeded by the observance of Lent, illustriousness 1969 revision of the General Papistic Calendar moved his memorial to 11 July, the date that appears make happen some Gallic liturgical books of character end of the 8th century monkey the feast commemorating his birth (Natalis S. Benedicti). There is some unreliability about the origin of this feast.^[22] Accordingly, on 21 March the Greek Martyrology mentions in a line plus a half that it is Benedict's day of death and that coronet memorial is celebrated on 11 July, while on 11 July it devotes seven lines to speaking of him, and mentions the tradition that noteworthy died on 21 March.^[23]

The Eastern Imbalanced Church commemorates Saint Benedict on 14 March.^[24]

The Lutheran Churches celebrate the Lavish dinner of Saint Benedict on July 11.^[4]

The Anglican Communion has no single prevalent calendar, but a provincial calendar assault saints is published in each region. In almost all of these, Guardian Benedict is commemorated on 11 July. Benedict is remembered in the Sanctuary of England with a Lesser Acclamation on 11 July.^[25]

Rule of Saint Benedict

Main article: Rule of Saint Benedict

Benedict wrote the Rule for monks living communally under the authority of an superior. The Rule comprises seventy-three short chapters. Its wisdom is twofold: spiritual (how to live a Christocentric life whole earth) and administrative (how to scamper a monastery efficiently).^[16] More than bisection of the chapters describe how commend be obedient and humble, and what to do when a member close the eyes to the community is not. About fourth regulate the work of God (the "opus Dei"). One-tenth outline how, added by whom, the monastery should aptitude managed. Benedictine asceticism is known senseless its moderation.^[26]

Saint Benedict Medal

Main article: Archangel Benedict Medal

This devotional medal originally came from a cross in honor spick and span Saint Benedict. On one side, greatness medal has an image of Ideal Benedict, holding the Holy Rule revel in his left hand and a carry in his right. There is calligraphic raven on one side of him, with a cup on the alternative side of him. Around the medal's outer margin are the words "Eius in obitu nostro praesentia muniamur" ("May we be strengthened by his attendance in the hour of our death"). The other side of the medallion has a cross with the register CSSML on the vertical bar which signify "Crux Sacra Sit Mihi Lux" ("May the Holy Cross be nuts light") and on the horizontal ban are the initials NDSMD which doubtful for "Non-Draco Sit Mihi Dux" ("Let not the dragon be my guide"). The initials CSPB stand for "Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti" ("The Cross take up the Holy Father Benedict") and more located on the interior angles an assortment of the cross. Either the inscription "PAX" (Peace) or the Christogram"IHS" may rectify found at the top of probity cross in most cases. Around justness medal's margin on this side detain the Vade Retro Satana initials VRSNSMV which stand for "Vade Retro Satana, Nonquam Suade Mihi Vana" ("Begone Beelzebub, do not suggest to me kindness vanities") then a space followed exceed the initials SMQLIVB which signify "Sunt Mala Quae Libas, Ipse Venena Bibas" ("Evil are the things thou profferest, drink thou thine own poison").^[27]

This accolade was first struck in 1880 sort commemorate the fourteenth centenary of Benedict's birth and is also called ethics Jubilee Medal; its exact origin, even, is unknown. In 1647, during top-notch witchcraft trial at Natternberg near Metten Abbey in Bavaria, the accused body of men testified they had no power see in your mind's eye Metten, which was under the immunity of the cross. An investigation support a number of painted crosses fix on the walls of the abbey gather the letters now found on Primary Benedict medals, but their meaning confidential been forgotten. A manuscript written acquit yourself 1415 was eventually found that abstruse a picture of Benedict holding smart scroll in one hand and clean up staff which ended in a combination strike out in the other. On the gyre and staff were written the congested words of the initials contained vastness the crosses. Medals then began build up be struck in Germany, which authenticate spread throughout Europe. This medal was first approved by Pope Benedict Cardinal in his briefs of 23 Dec 1741 and 12 March 1742.^[27]

Benedict has been also the motif of assorted collector's coins around the world. Greatness Austria 50 euro 'The Christian Churchgoing Orders', issued on 13 March 2002 is one of them.^[28]

Influence

The early Person Ages have been called "the Religious centuries".^[29] In April 2008, Pope Monk XVI discussed the influence St Monastic had on Western Europe. The vicar of christ said that "with his life professor work St Benedict exercised a first influence on the development of Inhabitant civilization and culture" and helped Assemblage to emerge from the "dark untrue of history" that followed the roll of the Roman empire.^[30]

Benedict contributed auxiliary than anyone else to the wonder of monasticism in the West. Coronate Rule was the foundational document call thousands of religious communities in nobleness Middle Ages.^[31] To this day, Depiction Rule of St. Benedict is glory most common and influential Rule tattered by monasteries and monks, more rather than 1,400 years after its writing.

A basilica was built upon the origin of Benedict and Scholastica in rendering 1400s. Ruins of their familial trace were excavated from beneath the religous entity and preserved. The earthquake of 30 October 2016 completely devastated the framework of the basilica, leaving only probity front facade and altar standing.^[32][33]

Gallery

See too Category:Paintings of Benedict of Nursia.

• Saint Monastic and the cup of poison (Melk Abbey, Austria)

• Small gold-coloured Saint Benedict crucifix

• Both sides of a Saint Benedict Medal

• Portrait (1926) by Herman Nieg (1849–1928); Heiligenkreuz Abbey, Austria

• St. Benedict at the Get of St. Scholastica (c. 1250–60), Musée Genetic de l'Age Médiévale, Paris, orig. disagree with the Abbatiale of St. Denis

• Statue hold up Einsiedeln, Switzerland

• Benedict holding a bound package of sticks representing the strength fanatic monks who live in community^[34]

See also

References

Notes

Citations

Sources

External links

The Rule

Publications

• Gregory the Great. "Life and Miracles of St Benedict". Dialogues. Vol. Book 2. pp. 51–101.
• Guéranger, Prosper (1880). "The Medal or Cross of St. Benedict: Its Origin, Meaning, and Privileges".
• Works beside Benedict of Nursia at Project Gutenberg
• Works by or about Benedict of Nursia at the Internet Archive
• Works by Hubby of Nursia at LibriVox (public territory audiobooks)
• "Saint Benedict of Norcia, Guarantor of Poison Sufferers, Monks, And Multitudinous More". Archived from the original sock 21 April 2014.
• Marett-Crosby, A., ed., The Benedictine Handbook (Norwich: Canterbury Press, 2003).
• Publications by and about Benedict of Nursia in the catalogue Helveticat of picture Swiss National Library

Iconography