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Saint Benedict

Join Autom as we celebrate the feast of Saint Benedict on July 11th. Many people are familiar with the St. Benedict medal, as well as the St. Benedict crucifix and other items. Our current pope, Benedict XVI, chose his name partly because of his devotion to Saint Benedict, who is the Patron protector of all Europe.

Saint Benedict:

Saint Benedict was born in Nursia, Italy, in 480 AD. Educated at Rome, Benedict was repulsed by the city’s vice and degeneration, and fled to Subiaco. There he met Romanus, a monk who brought him to a secret mountain cave, where he lived as a hermit for three years. Disciples gathered around Benedict, attracted by his holiness and miraculous gifts. Some monks asked Benedict to lead them, but grew angry at his strict rule, and gave him poisoned wine. Benedict blessed the cup, which shattered before their eyes, and he returned to Subiaco.

Benedict then settled at Monte Cassino, a mountain top overlooking the beautiful southern Italian farmland. He destroyed a pagan temple, brought the inhabitants back to Christianity, and around 530 AD founded the monastery which became the birthplace of Western monasticism. Disciples again flocked to Benedict as his reputation for holiness, wisdom, and miracles spread across the countryside.

Benedict organized the monks into a single monastic community and wrote his famous Rule, prescribing common sense, moderate asceticism, prayer, study, work, and community life under one superior, in order to help each monk truly love God and attain the Kingdom of heaven. Benedict’s Rule was to affect spiritual and monastic life in the West for centuries to come, as monks kept alive the light of faith and learning through the Dark Ages. Their motto was: Ora et Labora—Pray and Work.

Saint Benedict could read consciences, prophesy, and rebuff the attacks of the devil. His holiness and charisms remind us that God continues to send holy ones in our midst to help us all follow His universal call to union with Himself in true joy, peace, and service. Benedict died at Monte Cassino in 547 and was buried with his beloved twin sister, Saint Scholastica. In 1964, Pope Paul IV named Saint Benedict, the Father of Western Monasticism, as Patron Protector of Europe.

Autom encourages you to get your St. Benedict Crucifix or St. Benedict Medal and pray the Prayer of Saint Benedict with us today! Head over to Autom.com to purchase a St. Benedict crucifix, St. Benedict medal, or a Benedict saint bracelet to help you in your devotion.

Prayer of Saint Benedict

Gracious and holy Father,
grant us the intellect to understand You,
reason to discern You, diligence to seek You,
wisdom to find You, a spirit to know You, and a heart to meditate upon You.

May our ears hear You, may our eyes behold You,
and may our tongues proclaim You.
Give us grace that our way of life may be pleasing to You,
that we may have the patience to wait for You
and the perseverance to look for You.

Grant us a perfect end - Your holy presence,
a blessed resurrection and life everlasting.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.