Fifteen hundred years ago, Benedict of Nursia came out of his hermit’s cave and founded a monastery in Italy on the rocky crag of Monte Cassino. There he wrote the Rule that laid the cornerstone for monastic religious orders ever after. Benedict’s monastic spirit and discipline so revolutionized a newly Christianized Europe that there is little wonder that his namesake, Pope Benedict XVI, applauded Benedict’s title Patron of Europe, bestowed on the saint in 1964.
A decade ago, on pilgrimage, I walked up the steep hill to Monte Cassino and through the door of the Monestary which I’m convinced set off a personal revolution that has marked the parameters of my life ever after. I started incorporating the practice of wearing sacramentals and rarely without a Saint Benedict metal.
When searching for more and discerning how I can share my gifts with others, it’s no wonder I found the Benet Hill Monsetary, a Benefictine program in which to do my Spiritual Direction certification.
Through the program, I learned about the Benedictine charism, which is rooted in the Rule of Saint Benedict. This charism emphasizes a life of prayer, work, and community, with the goal of uniting individuals with Christ and fostering spiritual growth. Key aspects include prayer (particularly the Divine Office and the Eucharist), work (both manual and intellectual), stability within a community, and a commitment to hospitality, humility, and stewardship. I strive to adhere to my “Rule of Life” each day.
Today is the memorial of St. Benedict. May his life inspire us all to live a spiritual and balanced life, loving God and each other.
Pax be with you!
Smitten With Goodness 