A monastic rule of life might seem an unlikely bestseller but the rule of st benedict was almost certainly the mostread book outside of the bible for five centuries around ad. May 23, 2011 the rule of saint benedict by saint benedict of nursia, 9780674053045, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. The rule of the benedictines, the black monks of europe. Benedict had the holiness and the ability to take this step. A commentary in light of world ascetic traditions, and more on. Saint benedict of norcia, patron of poison sufferers, monks, and many more. Benedict an image book original benedict of nursia, anthony c. Saint benedict the rule a brief history of the benedictine order saint benedict benedict of nursia was a monk and abbot who lived in the 5th and 6th century ad. His rule came to be the basis of organization for many religious orders.
Benedict of nursias most popular book is the rule of saint benedict. Dear brothers and sisters, today, i would like to speak about benedict, the founder of western monasticism and also the patron of my pontificate. This ewtn original docudrama follows him as he carves his path as the father of western monasticism. It is rather a character sketch than a biography and consists, for the most part, of a number of miraculous incidents, which, although they illustrate the life of the saint, give little help towards. Saint benedict devoted himself to evangelizing the local population who practiced pagan worship. Gregory did not set out to write a chronological, historically anchored story of saint benedict, but he did base his anecdotes on direct testimony. One of the earliest and most influential figures in the history monasticism in its christian, western guise was a roman nobleman living at the end of the 5th. The rule of saint benedict regula benedicti is a book of precepts written by st. Saint benedict s twelvestep guide to genuine selfesteem. The catholic order of st benedict and the anglican order of.
Benedict in the history of europe and christianity, it seems that there was little written about him by contemporaries. Since about the 7th century it has also been adopted by communities of women. Benedict of nursia books list of books by author benedict. Her feast day is 10 february, saint scholasticas day. While still a student at rome, the young benedict discovered that the only way he could escape the evils of his world was in seclusion and religious devotion. Benedict founded twelve communities for monks at subiaco, italy, before moving to monte cassino in the mountains of southern italy. Benedicts rules of obedience, humility, and contemplation are not only prerequisites for formal. Benedict of nursia is also known for the rule of saint benedict a book of precepts he wrote. This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet language source. Benedict of nursia, founder of monastic communities and compiler of the rule of st.
What is part of history to us now was a bold, risky step into the future. Shocked by the licentiousness of rome, he retired as a young man to enfide modern affile in the simbruinian hills and later to. Everybody has a rule of life, but its a rare person who takes the time to spell her ethos out. A concise biography comes complete with a touchorclick table of contents, divided by each section, and the catholic image collection, a myriad of beautiful colorful religious images. Benedict has for centuries been the guide of religious communities. The life of saint benedict, patriarch of the western monks. Even so, this book is worth it for the history of monasticism and prayer, its fascinating to see both how much has changed and how much is derived from this ancient rule. Books by benedict of nursia author of the rule of saint. Benedict of nursia was a monk and abbot who lived in the 5th and 6th century ad. Benedict of nursia modernday norcia is regarded as a christian patron saint of europe proclaimed by pope paul vi. The twin sister of saint benedict, saint scholastica, was born in nursia in the year 480. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. It is rather a character sketch than a biography and consists, for the most part, of a number of miraculous incidents, which, although they illustrate the life of the saint, give little help towards a. The rule of saint benedict by benedict of nursia goodreads.
Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. Gregorys purpose in writing benedict s life was to edify and to inspire, not. Benedict based upon history, archaeology, and tradition. Benedict of nursia has 17 books on goodreads with 9681 ratings. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family, life history, achievements, and timeline. Benedict by saint benedict, abbot of monte cassino. Benedict, in full saint benedict of nursia, nursia also spelled norcia, born c. Benedict is the most common and influential rule used by monasteries and monks, more than 1,400 years after its writing. Benedict of nursia founder of western monasticism, born at nursia, c.
Benedict is believed to have been born around 480, as the son to a roman noble of norcia and the twin to his sister, scholastica. Benedict of nursia for monks living communally under the authority of an abbot. This new latinenglish edition has features for both firsttime readers and scholars of medieval history and language. Gregorys purpose in writing benedicts life was to edify and to inspire, not to seek out the particulars of his daily life. See all books authored by benedict of nursia, including regula benedicti, and the rule of saint benedict. Composed nearly fifteen hundred years ago by the father of western monasticism, the rule of st.
Benedict s rule, formulated in the sixth century, is among the. Benedict of nursia stock photos and editorial news pictures from getty images. Benedict and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. Benedict founded twelve communities for monks at subiaco, italy about 40 miles 64 km to the east of rome, before moving to monte cassino in the. The path continues to ascend, and the side of the ravine, on which it runs, becomes steeper, until a cave is reached above which the mountain now rises almost perpendicularly. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family, life history. A 15th century ce fresco detail depicting saint benedict of nursia c. Saint benedict audiobook frances alice forbes 1869 1936 saint benedict of nursia c.
Publications by and about benedict of nursia in the catalogue helveticat of the swiss national library. Saint benedict of nursia by abbot primate jerome theisen osb. Discover book depositorys huge selection of saint benedict of nursia books online. Saint benedict of nursia illustration ancient history. According to gregorys dialogues benedict was born in nursia, a village high in the mountains. Benedicts rule, formulated in the sixth century, is among the. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. Saint benedict the father of western monasticism was born in nurcia, italy presentday norcia, italy in the year 480 to a noble italian family. Scholastica, based upon centuries of tradition, is considered the twin sister of st. Benedict of nursia stock pictures, royaltyfree photos. Benedict of nursia s most popular book is the rule of saint benedict. Saint benedict contributed more than anyone else to the rise of monasticism in the west.
In the fifth century, the young benedict was sent to rome to finish his education with a nurse housekeeper. Benedict in his second book of dialogues, but his account of the. Benedict of nursia, whom the benedictines consider to be their founder. Benedict is well recognized in the later dialogues of saint gregory, but these are sketches to illustrate miraculous elements of his career. Benedict of nursia is a christian saint venerated in the catholic church, the eastern orthodox.
He founded several monasteries and wrote a rule for monasteries which became fundamental for western monasticism. Benedict of nursia christian history christianity today. This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet language source with. Saint benedict of norcia, saint benedict of nursia benedict thus served as a link between the monasticism of the east and the new age that was dawning. He founded several monasteries and wrote a rule for monasteries which became fundamental for. In this kindle version, it is preserved in solid english, with a guide to reading it day by day. Over the centuries, icons and other religious works have often depicted scholastica. This new latinenglish edition has features for both firsttime readers and scholars of medieval history.
Saint benedict of nursia dvd ewtn religious catalogue. Gregory thegreat,supremepontiff,wasbornin540, aboutthreeyearsprevioustothedeathof saintbenedict. Gregory the great, saint benedict of nursia and his life have much to teach presentday christians experiencing a similar tumultuous time period. This vision happened a few days after their last talk together at the foot of montecassino. But in benedict s mind the spiritual life is not a collection of spiritual calisthenics. It is unfortunate that no contemporary biography was written of a man who has exercised the greatest influence on monasticism in the west. Benedict of nursia has 27 books on goodreads with 10165 ratings. Benedict had the revolutionary idea that work was a necessary instrument of virtue almost on a par with prayer. The founder of western monasticism, saint benedict, was born at nursia near spoleto. Regula benedicti is a book of precepts written by benedict of nursia c.
To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. Benedict in his second book of dialogues, but his account of the life and miracles of benedict cannot be regarded as a biography in the modern sense of the term. His beliefs and instructions on religious life were collected in what is now known as the rule of saint benedict still directing religious life after 15 centuries. Benedict was born as the roman empire was disintegrating, and during his youth, the italian peninsula was the scene of constant war between barbarian tribes.
The rule of saint benedict by benedict of nursia, seeking god. The history of saint benedict protection from evil. Saint benedict of nursia by abbot primate jerome theisen. Benedict of nursia biography facts, childhood, family life. Shortly before he died, saint benedict saw the soul of his sister saint scholastica rising to heaven in the form of a dove. A short distance from enfide is the entrance to a narrow, gloomy valley, penetrating the mountains and leading directly to subiaco. The rule of saint benedict, saint benedict of nursia, full. Benedict detested the city and its people and left after a short stay.
Benedict of nursia biography facts, childhood, family. Download premium images you cant get anywhere else. Buy a cheap copy of regula benedicti book by benedict of nursia. San benedetto church, norcia the birthplace of saint benedict. His rule was the foundational document for thousands of religious communities in the middle ages. One of the most influential texts in the middle ages, the rule of saint benedict offers guidance about both the spiritual and organizational dimensions, from the loftiest to the lowliest, of monastic life. Ad 480550 for monks living communally under the authority of an abbot. Anyone interested in monasticsm or church history will be well rewarded by. It is rather a character sketch than a biography and. Most people, catholics included, dont realize how indebted the church, europe and the world are to st. The very presence of his monks in their monasteries became a stabilizing. Benedict of nursia, saint, founder of western monasticism, b. Benedicts legacy is still strong his rule remains a source of inspiration and a key work in the history of the christian church. According to a ninth century tradition, she was the twin sister of benedict of nursia.
A short history of the middle ages, third edition by barbara h. It is rather a character sketch than a biography and consists, for the most. Bible studies, book clubs, a classical school, and more. Saint benedict of nursia, patriarch of western monasticism. According to gregorys dialogues benedict was born in nursia, a village high in the. Regula sancti benedicti is a book of precepts written in 516 by benedict of nursia c. The only authentic life of benedict of nursia is that contained in the second book of st. Benedict s family sent him to rome to study roman and greek classics.
Benedicts life is described in the dialogues, book ii d ii, which tradition. It is heavily influenced by the writings of st john cassian ca. Benedict, a guide to commonsense living and monastic organization. That historical time frame, a mere four years before the western roman empire. During saint benedict s reign in monte cassino, scholastica founded a convent of women in plombariola, a town close to monte cassino. Benedict in his second book of dialogues, but his account.