Oblate Program at Belmont Abbey, NC

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The Life of St. Benedict and ancient or modern teachings on the Benedict’s life.

Passing of Our Holy Father St. Benedict

Towards the end of his life, Benedict is praying alone in a tower room before the others are awake. He prays how? standing at the window (ad fenestram stans83) looking out over the sleeping countryside. . . . Oninipotentem Deuin deprecans85—this seems to indicate prayer of supplication, petition, but is not to be taken too… Read More ›

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From the Life of St. Benedict

When this great temptation was thus overcome, the man of God, like to a piece of ground well tilled and weeded, of the seed of virtue brought forth plentiful store of fruit: and by reason of the great report of his wonderful holy life, his name became very famous. Not far from the place where… Read More ›

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St. Benedict, Father of Western Monasticism

Trusting in God and relying on His ever present help, he went south and arrived at a fort “called Cassino situated on the side of a high mountain . . .; on this stood an old temple where Apollo was worshipped by the foolish country people, according to the custom of the ancient heathens. Around… Read More ›

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St. Benedict and the Dignity of Work

Besides, Venerable Brethren, the author and lawgiver of the Benedictine Order has another lesson for us, which is, indeed, freely and widely proclaimed today but far too often not properly reduced to practice as it should be. It is that human labor is not without dignity; is not a distasteful and burdensome thing, but rather… Read More ›

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St. Benedict: Human labor is not without dignity

29.. . .  the author and lawgiver of the Benedictine Order has another lesson for us, which is, indeed, freely and widely proclaimed today but far too often not properly reduced to practice as it should be. It is that human labor is not without dignity; is not a distasteful and burdensome thing, but rather… Read More ›

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Benedict, A Star in the Darkness of Night

Like a star in the darkness of night, Benedict of Nursia brilliantly shines, a glory not only to Italy but of the whole Church. Whoever considers his celebrated life and studies in the light of the truth of history, the gloomy and stormy times in which he lived, will without doubt realize the truth of… Read More ›

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And the Greatest Is Love

Saint Benedict had a sister, Scholastica, — many say his twin — who had been consecrated to God since her youth and was herself a spiritual leader. During one of their annual visits, Scholastica, inspired by the depth of their conversation, asked Benedict — by now an abbot of some renown — to remain overnight… Read More ›

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Lift your hearts to Christ

19. . . .It is essential in the Benedictine way of life that while engaged in manual or intellectual pursuits, all should strive continually to lift their hearts to Christ having that as their chief concern, and to burn with perfect love of Him. For the things of the earth or of the whole world… Read More ›

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Short Biography of St. Benedict

Today, I would like to speak about Benedict, the Founder of Western Monasticism and also the Patron of my Pontificate. I begin with words that St Gregory the Great wrote about St Benedict: “The man of God who shone on this earth among so many miracles was just as brilliant in the eloquent exposition of… Read More ›

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Let us listen in particular to St Benedict’s voice

A representative man and a real giant of history, St Benedict is great not only because of his holiness, but also because of his intelligence and industry, which succeeded in giving a new course to the events of history. We will recall only the essential elements of his interesting and adventurous life. Born about 480… Read More ›

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