St. Benedict

             Benedict was the single most influential monk in the period referred to as the Dark Ages. Reflecting on the teachings of those before him and his own personal ideas, Benedict created a set of rules to govern and regulate the everyday lives of monks. His rules became a guide to which thousands of monasteries have been based upon. Through the life of St. Benedict, an excellent guide for living one's life for God was established.
             Benedict was born around 480 A.D. in Nursia, Italy. He spent his boyhood in Rome, where he devoured himself in books and study. This life of study, however, was not satisfying to Benedict. He wanted something more, something different. He found this something in God.
             Upon completing his studies, Benedict left Rome in search of a quite place in which he could find God. He withdrew to Subiaco and began his "new life" as God's servant. After three years of withdrawal from society, Benedict accepted the job of abbot at a local monastery. Benedict's strict rule, however, caused many monks to despise him and an attempt was made on his life. Some monks went as far as to poison Benedict's drink, but that plan was foiled as Benedict blessed the cup and rendered the poison harmless. .
             After the poison incident, Benedict relinquished his duties as abbot and returned to his cave in Subiaco. Here, he attracted many followers and was eventually persuade to found 12 monasteries throughout Europe. The most famous of Benedict's monasteries was at Monte Cassino, where he wrote his Benedictine Rule. This rule set the basis for western monasticism. In this rule, Benedict sets forth numerous vows in which a monk must take. Through the vows of obedience, stability, and conversion of live, the life of a monk is outlined. First, the monk is to follow and live by the Benedictine Rule. Second, he is not to leave his community without grave cause. Finally, he must seek to follow the teaching and example of Christ in all things.