Tag Archives: St Benedict

The Last Visit of Scholastica and Benedict

Saint Scholastica (+543) was the sister – some sources say the twin – of Saint Benedict. Like her brother, she forsook everything to follow Christ, setting up a community of virgins at the foot of her brother’s monastery, Monte Cassino, where … Continue reading

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The Silent Knight

Medieval writers did not diminish the importance of Joseph’s active life even as they praised his meditative nature. St. Bernard highlighted the humility of this descendant of kings who did not scorn manual work to support his family, and, even … Continue reading

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Marked out for Holiness – St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (9th August)

Adapted from an article by Patrick Kenny (founder of the blog, REMEMBERING FR WILLIE DOYLE SJ) St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)  would have thoroughly concurred with this piece of wisdom from Fr Willie Doyle below. It was … Continue reading

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St. Benedict for Beginners – ‘Welcomed as Christ…’

Fr. Dwight Longenecker “Saint Benedict of Nursia” by Fra Angelico ‘All guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ.’ Monks and nuns might stay in their monasteries, but they are not cut off from the world. Instead of … Continue reading

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St. Benedict for Beginners – Listen my son…

Fr. Dwight Longenecker ‘Listen my son, to the master’s instructions and attend to them with the ear of your heart.’ Saint Benedict established his simple Christian communities in the sixth century. In the chaos of the crumbling Roman Empire, Benedict’s … Continue reading

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St. Benedict for Beginners – The Fourth Step to Humility

Fr. Dwight Longenecker The Fourth Step to Humility ‘The fourth step of humility is that, when in the very act of obeying one meets with trials and even abuse… a man should neither grow faint nor run away.’ Benedict’s rule … Continue reading

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St. Benedict for Beginners – The Third Step to Humility

St. Benedict for Beginners – The Third Step to Humility Fr. Dwight Longenecker “Saint Benedict of Nursia” by Fra Angelico The Third Step to Humility ‘The third step of humility is that for the love of God a man should … Continue reading

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St. Benedict for Beginners – The Second Step to Humility

Fr. Dwight Longenecker “Saint Benedict of Nursia” by Fra Angelico The Second Step to Humility ‘The second step of humility is that a man should not love his own will nor take pleasure in carrying out his own desires.’ St … Continue reading

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St. Benedict for Beginners – The First Step to Humility

Fr. Dwight Longenecker “Saint Benedict of Nursia” by Fra Angelico The First Step to Humility ‘The first step of humility is for a man to set the fear of God always before his eyes.’ We live today with a Jesus … Continue reading

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St. Benedict for Beginners – ‘The Way of Obedience’

Fr. Dwight Longenecker “Saint Benedict of Nursia” by Fra Angelico ‘It is by the way of obedience that we go to God.’ Benedictine monks and nuns take three vows. They promise to pursue obedience, stability, and conversion of life. Obedience … Continue reading

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St. Benedict for Beginners – ‘Follow this little rule…’

Fr. Dwight Longenecker “Saint Benedict of Nursia” by Fra Angelico ‘Whoever you are then, follow this little rule written for beginners.’ Saint Benedict’s monastic rule is sometimes thought of as an esoteric text to take the spiritually elite to the … Continue reading

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Feast of St. Scholastica – Sister of St. Benedict.

Today, February 10th is the day that the Catholic Church  remembers  St. Scholastica, a nun who was the twin sister of St. Benedict, the “father of monasticism” in Western Europe. Benedict and Scholastica  were born around 480 to a Roman … Continue reading

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As Jesus taught us, so we pray

My parish priest is fond of pointing out that St Benedict included the Lord’s Prayer three times in his Office for his monks; once in the morning, once in the evening, and once at Mass. This is the prayer that … Continue reading

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