Are you wondering who is Saint Benedict and why is he important?
Even if you’re not Catholic, you’ve likely heard of this monk who founded what’s possibly the most important community to ever be in existence.
Monastic communities were one of the main foundations for the advanced civilization we live in today. Benedict’s monastery set the standard for monastic communities for many centuries to come.
We’ll go over in this article why this monk is so important, what he did, and who he was. Read on to find more!
Origin
Saint Benedict of Nursia is a Christian saint who is venerated in the Catholic Church, the Oriental Orthodox Churches, the Eastern Orthodox Churches, the Anglican Communion, and Old Catholic Churches.
He is a patron saint of Europe and the founder of the Benedictine Order. He lived from about 480 to 548 AD and is credited with writing the rule of Saint Benedict, a set of guidelines for monks living in the community.
Benedict’s rule helped to shape Western monasticism and influenced the development of Western Church architecture. He is also known for his Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes, in which he is said to have fed a large crowd with a small amount of food.
The Rule
The rule of Saint Benedict is a set of guidelines for monastic living. He wrote them in the 6th century. This rule is a guide for monastic communities and individuals who desire to live a life of simplicity, prayer, and service.
There are three main parts to the Rule:
The Prologue
This outlines Saint Benedict’s understanding of the Good Life.
The Monastic Code
This sets forth the guidelines for monastic living.
The Spiritual Teachings
This offers guidance for those who wish to live a life of contemplation.
The rule has been influential in the development of Western monasticism and is still observed by many monks and nuns today.
The Medal
The St. Benedict medal is a sacramental medal created in 1880 by Pope Leo XIII. It is one of the most popular medals used today and is often called the “devil-chasing medal”.
The medal depicts Saint Benedict holding a crucifix in one hand and the Book of the Gospels in the other. The back of the Saint Benedict medal typically shows a Cross potent, which is a symbol of power that is often used to ward off evil.
It is considered to be a powerful sacramental and is often used by Catholics as a means of protection against evil.
Know Who Is Saint Benedict Today
Saint Benedict is a very important saint because he is the Patron Saint of Europe. He is the Patron Saint of monks and the founder of the Benedictine Order.
Saint Benedict is also known for his work in spreading Christianity and his work in helping the poor. He is definitely one of the very important saints that we should all remember through the years.
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