July 11, 2023, Memorial of St. Benedict, Holy Rosary (Sorrowful Mysteries)

Friends of the Rosary:

Today is the Memorial Day of St. Benedict of Nursia (480-547), who created Western monasticism.

This sixth-century saint would greatly affect spiritual and monastic life in Christendom for centuries to come.

He wrote his famous Benedict Rule prescribing common sense, a life of moderate asceticism, prayer, study, and work, and community life under one superior.

It stressed obedience, stability, and zeal, and had the Divine Office as the center of monastic life.

His holiness, wisdom, and austerities attracted many monks who vowed to seek God and devoted themselves to work and prayer.

While ruling his monks (most of whom, including Benedict, were not ordained), and organizing them into monastic communities, he counseled rulers and Popes and ministered to the poor.

Seeking first of all the kingdom of God, he knew that when the believer enters into a profound relationship with God he cannot be content with living in a mediocre way, with a minimalist ethic and superficial religiosity.

St. Benedict died at Monte Cassino, Italy, in 547.

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!
St. Benedict, Pray for Us!

To Jesus through Mary!

+ Mikel A. | RosaryNetwork.com, New York