Benedict of nursia biography benedict of nursia 480 ad 547 ad was born in nursia, italy. The first monks who tried to live under benedicts direction hated his regimen, so much so they plotted to kill their abbot. The rule of saint benedict by benedict of nursia goodreads. In the fifth century, the young benedict was sent to rome to finish his education with a nursehousekeeper. The rule of saint benedict regula benedicti is a book of precepts written by st. Bede accepts, makes him a twin with his sister scholastica. Benedicts life was spent in realizing the ideal of monasticism which he has left us drawn out in his rule, and before we follow the slight chronological story given by st. They were born from their parents anicius eupropius and abundantia. This vision happened a few days after their last talk together at the foot of montecassino. 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. This new latinenglish edition has features of interest for firsttime readers of the rule as well as for scholars of medieval history and language. This ewtn original docudrama follows him as he carves his path as the father of western monasticism.
The pope said that with his life and work st benedict exercised a fundamental influence on the development of european civilization and culture and helped europe to emerge from the dark night of history that followed the fall of the roman empire. Saint benedict contributed more than anyone else to the rise of monasticism in the west. Benedict of nursia author of the rule of saint benedict. Books by benedict of nursia author of the rule of saint. His purpose may be gleaned from his rule, namely that christ. Benedicts rule, formulated in the sixth century, is among the most comprehensive and vital rules of life in the history of monasticism. According to the story told by pope gregory i benedicts biographer. Until 2016, the monks were the custodians of the basilica of san benedetto in the center of norcia, built above the birthplace of saint benedict of nursia and saint scholastica. The only recognized authority for the facts of benedicts life is book 2 of the. The saint benedict medal is a christian sacramental medal containing symbols and text related to the life of saint benedict of nursia, used by roman catholics, as well as anglicans, lutherans, methodists and the western orthodox, in the benedictine christian tradition, especially votarists and oblates. The subject that dominated a young mans study then. 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. Benedict of nursia is a christian saint venerated in the catholic church, the eastern orthodox church, the oriental orthodox churches, the anglican communion and old catholic churches. Benedict founded twelve communities for monks at subiaco, italy, before moving to monte cassino in the mountains of southern italy.
Benedict an image book original by benedict of nursia 1975. Still, no contemporary painted his portrait and we have no specific description of his features. The contemporary reader will find this sixthcentury classic more accessible, while any student or follower of the rule will discover in this paraphrase a vital new expression. Gregory, it will be better to examine the ideal, which, as st. Venerable benedict of nursia orthodox church in america. Mar 17, 2017 staint benedict of nursia lived in the sixth century and was a hermit and a recluse, yet he drew flocks of admiring monkish followers. Benedict of nursia books list of books by author benedict. The rule of saint benedict ebook 9781612611211 by st. Benedict in his second book of dialogues, but his account of the. Benedict an image book original benedict of nursia, anthony c. Life of the most holy patriarch saint benedict from haftens disgnis.
To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. Regula sancti benedicti by saint benedict of nursia loyal books. One of the earliest biographies of his life was written by pope st. When he was fourteen years of age, the saints parents sent him to rome to study. They put poison in a glass of wine and offered it to benedict. Benedict of nursia, saint, founder of western monasticism, b. Benedict of nursia christian history christianity today. 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. O lord, i place myself in your hands and dedicate myself to you. Gregory did not set out to write a chronological, historically anchored story of saint benedict, but he did base his anecdotes on direct testimony. Benedict explains the responsibilities of the abbott, or community leader, in whose care rests the welfare of the communitys members. Which statement accurately describes benedict of nursia. The basilica and monastery were destroyed in october 2016 in an earthquake which damaged much of norcia and the surrounding area. Gregory the great, and it includes many stories of incredible miracles performed by the monk.
He designed and built the first gothic cathedral, notre dame, in paris. He founded an abbey at monte cassino and is known as the father of monasticism. Venerable benedict of nursia commemorated on march 14. During the 1500 years of its existence, it has become the leading guide in western christianity for monastic living in community. 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 has 27 books on goodreads with 10165 ratings.
Born into a wealthy family in nursia, italy, benedict c. Before he took it, he blessed it, as was the custom. Saint benedict, founder of western monasticism, was born in the italian city of nursia in the year 480. To ask other readers questions about the rule of saint benedict, please sign up. Benedict, in full saint benedict of nursia, nursia also spelled norcia, born c. His boyhood was spent in rome, where he lived with his parents and attended the schools until he had reached his higher studies. Very little is known about the life of benedict of nursia, who lived approximately 480547, and most of what is known comes from a biography written by gregory the great. A short distance from enfide is the entrance to a narrow, gloomy valley, penetrating the mountains and leading directly to subiaco. Buy a cheap copy of regula benedicti book by benedict of nursia. Jonathan wilsonhartgroves the rule of saint benedict presents the timeless wisdom of the rule in a vibrant new language. Since about the 7th century it has also been adopted by communities of women.
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. He founded the holy roman empire and was crowned its first emperor by the pope. It is rather a character sketch than a biography and consists, for the most. Benedict an image book original by benedict of nursia 1975 on. There was a man of venerable life, blessed by grace, and blessed in name, for he was called benedictus or bennet. Saint benedict of nursia by abbot primate jerome theisen osb.
As a result, the monks relocated to an abandoned capuchin monastery and church located on a hillside 1. Shortly before he died, saint benedict saw the soul of his sister saint scholastica rising to heaven in the form of a dove. The rule of saint benedict by benedict of nursia, seeking god. Benedict provides tangible advice regarding how a community of christians can cultivate contented souls that are modest and free from want. It is unfortunate that no contemporary biography was written of a man who has exercised the greatest influence on monasticism in the west. That historical time frame, a mere four years before the western roman empire.
Saint benedict of nursia 480547 the rule of saint benedict regula benedicti is a book of precepts written by st. Benedict of nursia is a christian saint venerated in the catholic church, the eastern orthodox. Saint benedict devoted himself to evangelizing the local population who practiced pagan worship. Benedict of nursias most popular book is the rule of saint benedict. The rule of saint benedict benedict of nursia, bruce l. His rule came to be the basis of organization for many religious orders. Everybody has a rule of life, but its a rare person who takes the time to spell her ethos out. Religious, founder of the order of the benedictines and patriarch of the western monks. Benedict of nursia has 27 books on goodreads with 10157 ratings. Benedict of nursia for monks living communally under the authority of an abbot. Benedicts legacy is still strong his rule remains a source of inspiration and a key work in the history of the christian church. Gall switzerland, an early ninthcentury copy regarded as the version that most closely reproduces benedicts style. Books by benedict of nursia author of the rule of saint benedict.
In this kindle version, it is preserved in solid english, with a guide to reading it day by day. Benedict of nursia is one of the most prominent figures of christianity, his precepts and ideas have been transmitted by the religious and scholars from. Shocked by the licentiousness of rome, he retired as a young man to enfide modern affile in the simbruinian hills and later to. Benedict was the son of a roman noble of nursia, a small town near spoleto, and a tradition, which st. The latin text is a transcription of manuscript 914 of the abbey of st. San benedetto church, norcia the birthplace of saint benedict. A commentary in light of world ascetic traditions, and more on. The only authentic life of benedict of nursia is that contained in the second book of st. According to gregorys dialogues benedict was born in nursia, a village high in the mountains. The rule of saint benedict benedict of nursia, benedictus. Benedict whos honored by many as the father of western monasticism.
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