Why We Are Proud of St. Benedict
Why we are Proud of St. Benedict
Benedict was born in 480 in Nursia, Italy. As a young lad his father sent him to Rome to study liberal arts. This would have been an exciting time for most young men but Benedict was different. He was disappointed with the way some students and people in general were acting. He looked at the crumbling society around him and dreamed of a new one. So, what did he do? He ran away from Rome to be alone with God. He knew that God was all powerful and with God's help things could change for the better. He spent three years in a cave where he prayed to do God's will and to know how he could turn people's selfish pleasures and power seeking around. He began to preach the simple message of the Gospel to the children who lived near him. His dream was soon realized and people began to follow him. Those who gathered around around him, put away their weapons and learned to live in love. Slaves and free, Romans and foreigners- all prayed and worked as equals.
In fields ravaged by war, Benedict's followers planted wheat fields and vineyards. They soon had good bread and rich wine for themselves and the poor. The honest work of their hands was matched by their honest search for truth. Benedict's followers spent many hours praying, and studying Holy Scripture. They shared their knowledge of God and the importance of work with their guests and neighbors. The Benedictine lifestyle caught on quickly as people stopped destroying each other and their surroundings. Civilization in Europe was preserved. Benedict's prayer was heard.
Benedict was born in 480 in Nursia, Italy. As a young lad his father sent him to Rome to study liberal arts. This would have been an exciting time for most young men but Benedict was different. He was disappointed with the way some students and people in general were acting. He looked at the crumbling society around him and dreamed of a new one. So, what did he do? He ran away from Rome to be alone with God. He knew that God was all powerful and with God's help things could change for the better. He spent three years in a cave where he prayed to do God's will and to know how he could turn people's selfish pleasures and power seeking around. He began to preach the simple message of the Gospel to the children who lived near him. His dream was soon realized and people began to follow him. Those who gathered around around him, put away their weapons and learned to live in love. Slaves and free, Romans and foreigners- all prayed and worked as equals.
In fields ravaged by war, Benedict's followers planted wheat fields and vineyards. They soon had good bread and rich wine for themselves and the poor. The honest work of their hands was matched by their honest search for truth. Benedict's followers spent many hours praying, and studying Holy Scripture. They shared their knowledge of God and the importance of work with their guests and neighbors. The Benedictine lifestyle caught on quickly as people stopped destroying each other and their surroundings. Civilization in Europe was preserved. Benedict's prayer was heard.
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