St Benedict of Nursia

Believed to have been born around 480, with his twin sister St Scholastica, St Benedict of Nursia was the son of a Roman Nobleman. Sent to Rome to study the art of persuasive speaking, young Benedict was mortified by the the other students pursuits of pleasure rather than truth and he watched in horror as he witnessed their lives unravelled by vice. Scared for his soul, Benedict fled Rome with his nurse, giving up his inheritance, to live in a small village. God soon prompted him to even deeper solitude and Benedict made for the mountains of Subiaco where he became a hermit. Inspired by his holiness nearby monks sought his leadership, to which he warned that he would be too strict. When this proved true the other monks attempted to poison him, however when Benedict prayed a blessing over the cup it shattered. Benedict later founded 12 monasteries, however again was forced to flee as the envious attacks of other hermits made it impossible for him to continue his spiritual leadership. It was in Monte Cassino where Benedict founded the monastery where he developed the "Rules of St Benedict" which eventually became the roots of the Church's monastic system and are still directing religious life some 15 centuries later.

Patronage: Students and Europe
Feast Day: 11th of July