St. Benedict's Day

My birthday is on July 11, which is the feast day of St. Benedict of Nursia.  Coincidentally, it's also E. B. White's birthday, so overall it's a very nice day to have a birthday.

As a birthday gift to myself, I ordered a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict online a few days ago.  I thought this would be a fitting time to get to know my birthday saint.

I've liked St. Benedict ever since I found picture of him in a saints book that somebody gave me years ago.  Benedict was a solitary person.  Born in 480 AD, he lived in Subiaco, Italy.  He was poised to become a Roman noble, but when he was about my age he halted his studies and left Rome to live a quieter life in Enfide.

Benedict eventually became a hermit and lived in a cave near Enfide for three years.   Despite his solitude he became well-known during this time and was asked to be the abbot of a nearby monastery.  At first he refused, saying that his rule would be too strict for the monks.

Eventually Benedict agreed, and, as he had predicted the monks were unhappy with his rule.  They tried to poison him, but according to legend the cup with the poisoned drink was shattered and the poisoned bread was carried away by a raven.

St. Benedict and the Raven

I started reading The Rule of St. Benedict last night, and it's beautiful.  To many people reading the Rule today, I think that Benedict's way might come across as harsh and difficult.  He didn't mean it to be that way, though.  Benedict wrote his Rule as a guide to a life of balance and moderation, an alternative way of life in a world fear and chaos.  It's important to keep this intention in mind, and to read the Rule as a guide rather than as a punishing law.

Benedict's writing is peaceful and wise.  I'm sure I'll write more about him, but for now here's a quote:

Your way of acting should be different from the world's way.  You are not to act in anger or nurse a grudge.  Rid your heart of all deceit.  Never give a hollow greeting of peace or turn away when someone needs your love.