SAINT BENEDICT, ABBOT (480-547)
July 11
	It may be difficult for us to relate to someone who preferred to live by himself in a cave contemplating the mysteries of God. But if we are honest with ourselves, perhaps some of our most profound moments have been when we were alone in prayer. Born in central Italy, both Benedict and his sister Scholastica were drawn to religious life at a young age. He became a hermit for some time, but as others learned of his holiness, wisdom and ability to perform miracles, they began to follow him. Benedict came up with the idea of having devout lay people and monks live together in a monastery so that they could worship together in fraternity and unity. He began construction on Monte Cassino in Naples and started developing a rule of prayer, study, work and communal living under the guidance of an abbot. Benedict introduced to his community the idea that manual labor was not the work of slaves, but dignified, honorable and conducive to sanctity. His monks fasted and abstained from meat, but severe and self-inflicting austerity was not encouraged. During the Middle Ages, all western monasticism was eventually brought under the Rule of St. Benedict, which influenced European education, art and literature. Today the Rule includes two branches: The Order of St. Benedict and the Order of Cistercians. Saint Benedict is the patron saint not only of Monastics, but also all of Europe, of schoolchildren, and those suffering from kidney disease or poisoning. Let us invoke the intercession of this incredible monk who enriched our world through his holy life, writings and prayer. 
—Tami Urcia