St. Benedict

Benedict was born in Nursia, Italy in 480 CE. For three years during his adulthood, he lived as a hermit in Subiaco where he met St. Romanus, who introduced him to the monastic lifestyle. Benedict left his hermitage to become the abbot of a nearby monastery and later established twelve more monasteries in the area. In 529 he established Monte Cassino, his most famous monastery. His twin sister was Scholastica, who became the abbess of Plumbariola, the first "Benedictine" convent. Between 535 and 540, Benedict wrote his Holy Rule, which was to become the standard for religious community living and is still used in monasteries world-wide. Benedict died Saturday March 21, 543 after receiving the Eucharist.

Melissa Smeltzer