Hello John,
In today's Saint of the Day, we learn of the life and influence of St. Benedict, a pivotal figure in the history of monasticism, who has left an indelible mark on the Western world. His dedication to prayer, study, and community living under the Rule of St. Benedict has shaped the way countless individuals have pursued lives of spiritual growth and service. The Benedictine family, including the Order of St. Benedict and the Cistercians, continues to carry forward his legacy to this day, embodying values of unity, fraternity, and charity. If you appreciate the rich history and value of stories of saints like St. Benedict, please consider supporting the work of Franciscan Media, where we strive to provide these enduring messages around the world. Donate today! |
Saint of the Day for July 11: Benedict (c. 480 – c. 547) Saint Benedict’s Story It is unfortunate that no contemporary biography was written of a man who has exercised the greatest influence on monasticism in the West. Benedict is well recognized in the later Dialogues of Saint Gregory, but these are sketches to illustrate miraculous elements of his career. Benedict was born into a distinguished family in central Italy, studied at Rome, and early in life was drawn to monasticism. At first he became a hermit, leaving a depressing world—pagan armies on the march, the Church torn by schism, people suffering from war, morality at a low ebb. He soon realized that he could not live a hidden life in a small town any better than in a large city, so he withdrew to a cave high in the mountains for three years. Some monks chose Benedict as their leader for a while, but found his strictness not to their taste. Still the shift from hermit to community life had begun for him. He had an idea of gathering various families of monks into one “Grand Monastery” to give them the benefit of unity, fraternity, and permanent worship in one house. Finally he began to build what was to become one of the most famous monasteries in the world—Monte Cassino, commanding three narrow valleys running toward the mountains north of Naples. The Rule that gradually developed prescribed a life of liturgical prayer, study, manual labor, and living together in community under a common abbot. Benedictine asceticism is known for its moderation, and Benedictine charity has always shown concern for the people in the surrounding countryside. In the course of the Middle Ages, all monasticism in the West was gradually brought under the Rule of St. Benedict. Today the Benedictine family is represented by two branches: the Benedictine Federation encompassing the men and women of the Order of St. Benedict; and the Cistercians, men and women of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance. Reflection The Church has been blessed through Benedictine devotion to the liturgy, not only in its actual celebration with rich and proper ceremony in the great abbeys, but also through the scholarly studies of many of its members. Liturgy is sometimes confused with guitars or choirs, Latin or Bach. We should be grateful to those who both preserve and adapt the genuine tradition of worship in the Church. Saint Benedict is the Patron Saint of: Europe
Kidney Disease
Monastics
Poisoning
Schoolchildren
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Delve into this Franciscan classic by Ilia Delio! Franciscan Prayer: Awakening to Oneness with God |
The Kingdom of Heaven Is Close All of us are invited to be rich soil for God’s word, and all of us have become rich soil in baptism. All of us have heard God’s word in Scripture, in nature, in prayer, and all of us experience intimacy with God, especially in the sacraments (the external signs of a deep, interior reality). What makes the difference is both in the fullness of our response and in the level of consciousness of what is really going on within us. The kingdom of heaven is already within and around us, but because of our often lukewarm response of heart and action, we don’t have eyes to see or ears to hear. —from the book Mystics: Twelve Who Reveal God’s Love
by Murry Bodo, OFM |
Discover this Franciscan classic! Ilia Delio, OSF, shows how the Franciscan way can offer all Christians an intimate and wholehearted approach to prayer. Franciscan Prayer: Awakening to Oneness with God |
Sharing Our Pain Reflect God does not want us to fade into the background because of our struggles with mental health. Rather, God wants us to know he makes space for our pain and struggle and to know we can always seek help. While we cannot pray away mental- health struggles, we can communicate our pain to the one who carries it with us during our healing journey. Pray Crucified Christ, the one who knows my pain and suffering,
the one who sees me in the darkness of my anxiety,
let yourself be known to me today.
Let me know that you stand here with me,
that you see my hurt and my turmoil.
Let me see today the ways in which you hold me close to your heart,
and may that bring me peace.
Amen. Act If you struggle with anxiety and depression, please know that you can always seek help. If someone you know struggles with anxiety and depression, make space for their pain today. Reach out to them and let them know that they are loved. Today's Pause+Pray was written by Vanessa Zuleta Goldberg. Learn more here! |
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