Gregory the Great:

Life of St. Benedict

Major developments of the late 4th-6th century at a glance

381: Council of Constantinople

397: Death of St. Martin
399: Evagrius dies; „Origenist“ monks expelled from Egyptian desert
410: Visigoths attack Rome
430: Augustine of Hippo dies
431: Council of Ephesus (Nestorianism, Theotokos, Pelagianism)
432: St. Patrick in Ireland
435: John Cassian dies
451: Council of Chalcedon (Dual nature of Christ)
480: St. Benedict born
480: Boethius born
529: Emperor Justinian closes the philosophical schools in Athens
535-540 First phase of Gothic War
540: Gregory the Great born
543: Columbanus born
546: Totila sacks and vacates Rome (Gregory and his parents move to Sicily)
549: Gradual reunion of the empire under Eastern Emperor Justinian
553: Second council of Constantinople: Nestorianism and Origenism condemned
555: End of Gothic Wars: Gothic kings rule Rome under Byzantine authority
Theological/Monastic developments: St. Martin (316-397)

• Sulpitius Severus writes The Life of St. Martin and The Dialogues: sets
the standard for Western monasticism

Outstanding qualities modelled by St. Martin

• Emphasis on the poor

• Recognises Jesus in the poor
• Gives half of his cloak to a poor man

• Monk-bishop: Substantial pastoral responsibilities

• Destroys numerous pagan temples and sacred groves
• Performs numerous miracles

• No special emphasis on his teaching or theology; focus on his miracles and

way of life
Theological/Monastic developments: John Cassian (360-435)

• Monastic training in Bethlehem and Egyptian desert

• Continues and transforms Evagrian philosophy (Logismoi)

• Prefers biblical language (purity of heart) to Greek philosophical
terminology (apatheia)
• Oh God, come to my aid! Oh Lord make haste to help me!

• Leaves Egyptian desert when „Origenist“ monks were expelled in 399

• Brings desert monasticism to the Latin West

• Institutes/ Conferences
• Written as Dialogues and intended for „normal“ monks – but
• Dedicated to the pope and other high-ranking officials

• Shows monks in the West how „real monks“ live and train

• Conveys Evagrian ideas in a biblical context that „anti-Origenists“ can accept

• Develops and formalizes role of Spiritual director
• Goal of monastic life: The Kingdom of God through purity of heart
• How to deal with the 8 Logismoi
• Conferences on prayer
Theological/Monastic developments: Augustine 354-430

Upbringing
• Good Latin education
• Raised by his Christian mother, Monica but
• Manichean
• Had a concubine

• Conversion to Christianity – influended by Ambrose of Milan

Lord, make me chaste, but not yet!

Theological developments
• Defender of „orthodox“ faith against Pelagians and Nestorians
• Developed teaching of Original sin
• Grace over faith
• Reaction to the excesses of Pelagians
• And to his own sinful background
• Reacts to Germanic invasions with City of God

• Gregory of Nyssa had no Latin, Augustine had no Greek!

Theological/Monastic developments: Augustine 354-430

Augustine‘s contribution:
• Adam‘s sin fundamentally changed the reality of humanity
• Humans are born as a result of sin (concupiscence)
• And are in need of grace and forgiveness even before they reach the age of
reason.

The reins that held me were loosened; instead of being restrained by parental
discipline, I was let loose to follow every random inclination. But, my God,
wherever my inclinations took me, a dark cloud came between me and the clear
skies of your truth; and out of my abundance came forth my wickedness.
(Confessions 2.3.8)
Theological/Monastic developments: Irish Monasticism

St. Patrick comes to Ireland circa 432

• Development of Irish church – monastic in character
• In communion with Rome but non-Roman in character
• Anam Chara and John Cassian
• Penitentials
• Date of Easter

Peregrini
• Monks leave their home as an ascetic discipine… their destination?
• Islands
• Desert places
• Scotland
• The European continent
• Columbanus a contemporary of Gregory the Great
Theological developments: Council of Chalcedon (451)

• Defined the dual nature of Christ – fully human fully God

• Attempted to safeguard the „orthodox“ position in the context of Arian

Christianity brought by Germanic tribes

• Opposition from Eastern Christians: increasing divide between East and West,
Latin and Greek
Migration and mission

• Roman Empire in decline

• Arian settlers come from Germany
• Non-Roman monks come from Ireland
• Roman missionaries go to England

Power and authority

• In the East-West divide, the teaching came primarily from the East
• In the Germanic-Latin relationship, the Germanic leaders had the power but
the Romans had the culture and the „orthodoxy“
• Germanic rulers had power but not authority
Gregory the Great: Background and Context of
The Life of St. Benedict

Gregory the Great at a glance:

• Lived: 540-604 in Rome

• Came from a patrician family
• Great-great-grandfather Pope
Felix III
• Good education: Latin only!
• Prefect of Rome at age 33
• Circa 571 established the
monastery of St. Andrews at
his family estate but
• 579 sent as the pope’s
ambassador to Constantinople
• 590-604 Pope
Gregory the Great: Theologian

• Often seen as Augustinian – but also heavily influenced by Cassian

• Athanasius, Evagrius and Cassian speak of demons and logismoi
• Gregory the Great Transforms the eight Logismoi:
• gluttony, lust, greed, anger, sadness, acedia, vainglory, and pride
• into the Seven capital sins:
• Gluttony, lust, greed, anger, sloth, envy, pride

• He argues against Patriarch Eutychius of Constantinople for bodily

resurrection

• He insists on balance of opposites – the Golden mean!

• Pride should be treated with humility
• When joyful think of punishment
• When in want think of days of plenty
Gregory the Great: Spiritual Director

From the Pastoral Rule:

No one presumes to teach an art that he has not first mastered through study.
How foolish it is therefore for the inexperienced to assume pastoral authority
when the care of souls is the art of arts.
For who does not realize that the afflictions of the mind are more hidden than
the internal wounds of the body?
And yet, how often do they who are completely ignorant of spiritual precepts
profess themselves physicians of the heart, while anyone who is ignorant of the
power of medicine is too embarrassed to be seen as a physician of the body.
Gregory the Great: Spiritual Director

• Different cases must be treated differently

Gregory of Nazianzus of blessed memory taught that one and the same
exhortation is not suited for everyone because not everyone shares the same
quality of character.

For example, what often helps some people will cause harm in others, just as
herbs that are nutritious to some animals will kill others or the way that gentle
hissing will calm a horse but excite a puppy.

Likewise, the medicine that cures one disease will spur another, and the bread
that fortifies a grown man can kill a young child. Therefore, the discourse of the
teacher should be adapted to the character of his audience so that it can address
the specific needs of each individual and yet never shrink from the art of
communal edification. Pastoral Rule
Secular Responsibilities as pastoral responsibilities

Difficult situation due to Lombard occupation of Rome

• Administrator: did not wait for Constantinople to respond to physical needs

of the people
• Redistribution of the church‘s wealth/
• Distribution of grain

In a letter to one of his subordinates in Sicily: "I asked you to take care of the poor. If
you knew of people in poverty, you should have pointed them out ... I desire that you
give the woman forty coins for the children's shoes and forty bushels of grain ...“

• Distributed relics – but not bones! – as a sort of peace offering

• Negotiator
• Often at odds with others in secular authority but supported the Emperor in
principle
Gregory the Great: Reformer and Innovator

• Increased authority of papacy in a time of power vacuum

• Appointed ascetics to high office
• servus servorum Dei
• Sent Augustine to Canterbury
• Insisted that missionaries make use of available resources for converting
people
• Maintain local culture to the extent possible however
• Arian Christianity NOT acceptable
Life of St. Benedict written in the context of the Four Dialogues

Overarching purposes:
• Demonstrate to Peter that there are saints in Italy
• Console Gregory by bringing his mind back up to lofty thoughts

Means of achieving these purposes:

• Dialogue between Gregory and Peter

Major influences:
• Cassian
• Augustine
• Dialogues of Sulpitius Severus
• Boethius, Consolation of Philosophy
• Rule of St. Benedict?
Dialouges of St. Gregory the Great: Overview

• Book 1: Lives of several saints

• Miracles and humility are the evidence of sanctity

• Book 2: Life of St. Benedict

• Book 3: Lives of several saints

• Monks from earlier days, other places and close to home
• Converting someone to faith is better than raising the dead to life

• Book 4: On the resurrection of the body

• The nature of man and consequences of the Fall
• Stories of the death of various saints
• Discussion on hell
Introduction to Dialogue 1: Desire to return to contemplative state

Some men of the world had left me feeling quite depressed one day with all their
noisy wrangling… Then my dear son, Peter, came in…

O Peter… With my unhappy soul languishing under a burden of distractions, I

recall those earlier days in the monastery where all the fleeting things of time
were in a world below me, and I could rise far about the vanities of life.

Even death… I cherished as the entrance into life and the reward for labor.

But now all the beauty of the spiritual repose is gone, and the contact with
worldly men and their affairs which is a necessary part of my duties as bishop, has
left my soul defiled with earthly activities. I am so distracted with external
occupations in my concern for the people that even when my spirit resumes its
striving after the interior life it always does so with less vigour.
Gregory recalls the works of saints in Italy

PETER. I do not know of any persons in Italy whose lives give evidence of
extraordinary spiritual powers, and therefore I cannot imagine with whom you
are comparing yourself to regretfully.

This land of ours has undoubtedly produced its virtuous men, but to my
knowledge no signs or miracles have been performed by any of them.

GREGORY. On the contrary, Peter, the day would not be long enough for me to tell
you about those saints whose holiness has been well established and whose lives
are known to me either from my own observations or from the reports of good,
reliable witnesses.
PETER. Would you do me the favour of saying at least something about
them?
Interrupting the study and explanation of the Scriptures for such a purpose
should not cause grave concern, for
• the amount of edification to be gained from a description of miracles is
just as great.

Why?
• An explanation of holy Scripture teaches us how to attain virtue and
persevere in it,
• whereas a description of miracles shows us how this acquired virtue
reveals itself in those who persevere in it.
Importance of humility: Honoratus and Libertinus

Libertinus asked to restore a young boy to life by his mother.

Fear kept him from attempting to fulfill a request so unusual, while a feeling of
compassion kept urging him to help the mother in her bereavement…

Then taking (Honoratus‘) sandal (which he always kept with him), he placed it on the
breast of the dead child and, as he continued praying, the boy came back to life.

Did the merits of Honoratus cause the miracle or the prayers of Libertinus?

It was the virtue of both, combined with the woman‘s faith… Libertinus was able to
perform such a deed because he had learned to put greater trust in his master‘s
power than in his own…

Did not the Prophet Elisha have with him the mantle of Elijah, his master, when he
came to teh Jordan?

… Now you see, Peter, how important humility is for working miracles.
Stories about humility

Constantius who was holy but short:

Upon meeting him:
The farmer laughed with derision and said, ‚I expected to see a man, but this
fellow has nothing manly about him.‘
Constantius, overhearing these words… hurried down the ladder and threw
his arms most affectionately around the farmer and with a friendly kiss
thanked him for having expresses his opinion so openly.

‚You are the only one who has looked at me with open eyes.‘

Peter: This man was truly great because of his miracles, but I see now that he
was even greater by reason of his humility.
Dialogue 2: Life of St. Benedict

Dialogue 3: In directing my attention to our more recent saints, I left those

of the more distant past untouched…

Paulinus of Nola: In response to a woman whose son was taken captive, the
bishop offers to go in his place.

When the Barbarian captors discover who Paulinus is:

‚Ask what you will. Only do not return to your homeland without rich presents
from me.‘

Paulinus: ‚The best gift you can offer me is to free all my fellow citizens from
captivity.‘

By surrendering himself to slavery he had led a great multitude back to

freedom, imitating Christ, who had taken the nature of a slave to rescue us
from being th slaves of sin.
Martin chains himself to his cave

When Martin first came to this mountain, before he had shut himself up in
the cave, he fastened an iron chain to his foot and fixed the other end of it
into a rock...

When the saintly Benedict… heard of this, he sent one of his disciples to
Martin with the message: ‚If you are a servant of God you ought to be
bound by the chain which is Christ and not by a chain of iron.‘

Later a rope in a well kept breaking. Martin‘s iron chain was attached to it
and the rope never broke again.

Peter: These deeds are delightful because they are miraculous and they
have the special attraction of being recent.
What is the mightiest miracle?

Peter: I do not know what others may think, but for me the mightiest of all
miracles is that which causes the dead to live again by calling their souls
back from the world of the unseen.

Gregory: If we judge from what is visible we cannot conclude otherwise.

But if we consider the invisible, then it becomes evident that to convert a
sinner by preaching the word of God to him and aiding him with our
prayers is a greater miracle than raising to life the physically dead. For in
the latter case the flesh is brought back to life, only to die again; in the
former the soul is brought to life for all eternity.
After hearing the stories of other saints
Peter: Many of these holy men, I believe, would have accepted martyrdom
if they had lived in days of persecution.

Gregory: There are two kinds of martyrdom, Peter, one that is secret and
one that is public. Martyrdom is secret or hidden whenever the soul is
eager and ready for suffering even if there is no open persecution.

In referring to the saints I mentioned above… why should we say that they
would have been martyrs had they lived during times of persecution? Did
they not endure the assaults of a hidden enemy? Did they not love their
enemies in this world? Did they not resist every carnal desire? By
sacrificing themselves in this way to almighty God on the altar of their
hearts they became true martyrs even in times of peace.
Apocalyptical Expectations

Redemptus has a vision: ‚The end of all flesh has come! The end of all
flesh has come! The end of all flesh has come!‘

Terrible signs in the heavens followed. In the north appeared the

gleaming spears of an army in battle array.

It was not long after his vision that wild hoardes of Lombards unleashed
from their own native land descended on us.

The population of Italy, which had grown vast… was cut down to wither
away. Cities were sacked, fortifications overthown, churches burned,
monastaries and cloisters destroyed… I do not know what is happening
elsewhere, but in this land of ours the world is not merely announcing ist
end, it is pointing directly to it.

Our seeking after the things of heaven must, therefore, be all the more
urgent.
Transition to fourth book:

Peter: Considering how many there are within the fold of the church who
doubt the existence of the soul after death, I am urged to beg you for
proofs from reason showing that the soul will continue to live forever. And
if any examples from the lives of the saints come to your mind, use them
to illustrate your explanations.
Paideia in the Life of St. Benedict
Boyhood:

During his boyhood he showed

• mature understanding
• and a strength of character far beyond his years
• He kept his heart detachted from every pleasure.

Even while still living in the world, free to enjoy all it had to offer, he saw
how empty it was and turned from it without regret.
 Boyhood:

During his boyhood he showed

• mature understanding
• and a strength of character far beyond his years
• He kept his heart detachted from every pleasure.

Even while still living in the world, free to enjoy all it had to offer, he saw
how empty it was and turned from it without regret.

Antony’s early Training

When Antony grew and advanced in age, he did not continue learning his letters,
wishing to stand apart from the normal activities of children.

• He would, however, join his parents in church.

• He was not reckless as a child… he obeyed his parents.
• He listened attentively to the scriptures.
• He did not pester his parents for expensive foods or related pleasures.

He was satisfied with what he had and never looked for more. 1
Studies in Rome:

When he found many of the students there abandoning themselves to

vice, he decided to withdraw from the world he had been preparing to
enter; for he was afraid that if he acquired any of its learning he would be
drawn down with them to his eternal ruin.
Studies in Rome:

When he found many of the students there abandoning themselves to

vice, he decided to withdraw from the world he had been preparing to
enter; for he was afraid that if he acquired any of its learning he would be
drawn down with them to his eternal ruin.

Naucratius:
When he had reached his twenty-first year, and had given such
demonstration of his studies by speaking in public, that the whole
audience in the theatre was thrilled, he was led by a divine providence to
despise all that was already in his grasp, and drawn by an irresistible
impulse went off to a life of solitude and poverty.
Rejection of worldly Paideia

In his desire to please God alone, he turned his back on further studies, gave
up home and inheritance and resolved to embrace the religious life. He took
this step, fully aware of his ignorance; yet he was truly wise, uneducated
though he may have been.
Rejection of worldly Paideia

In his desire to please God alone, he turned his back on further studies, gave
up home and inheritance and resolved to embrace the religious life. He took
this step, fully aware of his ignorance; yet he was truly wise, uneducated
though he may have been.

Antony’s Monastic Regime

• He resolved not to think about his parents or relatives

• He directed his desire and energies toward ascetic discipline
• He worked with his hands, having heard: “Let the lazy person not eat”
• He spent part of what he earned on bread and the rest he gave to the poor
• He prayed all the time, having learned: “Pray without ceasing”. Mat 6.6, I
Thes 5.17
• He paid such close attention to the reading of Scriptures that nothing in the
Scriptures was wasted with the result that memory took the place of books. 3

He was loved by everyone. 4

Rejection of worldly Paideia

In his desire to please God alone, he turned his back on further studies, gave
up home and inheritance and resolved to embrace the religious life. He took
this step, fully aware of his ignorance; yet he was truly wise, uneducated
though he may have been.

(Macrina) settled on one safeguard of her good resolution, in a resolve not to be

separated from her mother even for a moment of time… The attentions received
from her daughter were worth those of many maidservants, and the benefits
were mutual. For the mother looked after the girl's soul, and the girl looked after
her mother's body, and in all respects fulfilled the required services, even going
so far as to prepare meals for her mother with her own hands. Not that she
made this her chief business. But after she had anointed her hands by the
performance of religious duties…she prepared food for her mother by her own
toil. And not only this, but she helped her mother to bear her burden of
responsibilities.
Accompanied by one faithful companion

When Benedict abandoned his studies to go into solitude, he was

accompanied only by his nurse, who loved him dearly.
Accompanied by one faithful companion

When Benedict abandoned his studies to go into solitude, he was

accompanied only by his nurse, who loved him dearly.

Naucratius:
He took nothing with him but himself, save that one of the servants
named Chrysapius followed him, because of the affection he had
towards his master and the intention he had formed to lead the same
life.
Assistance from an experienced monk

After discovering the young man‘s purpose, Romanus kept it secret and
even helped him carry it out by clothing him with the monastic habit and
supplying his needs as well as he could…

With fatherly concern this monk regularly set aside as much bread as he
could from his own portion; then from time to time, unnoticed by his
abbot, he left the monastery long enough to take the bread to Benedict.
Assistance from an experienced monk

After discovering the young man‘s purpose, Romanus kept it secret and
even helped him carry it out by clothing him with the monastic habit and
supplying his needs as well as he could…

With fatherly concern this monk regularly set aside as much bread as he
could from his own portion; then from time to time, unnoticed by his
abbot, he left the monastery long enough to take the bread to Benedict.

Now there was at that time an old man in the neighboring village. From
his youth he had practiced the solitary life of an ascetic. When Antony
saw him, he emulated him in goodness.
 Benedict‘s personal ascent
Postmortem miracles

Brought up to heaven

Dies in the arms of his brothers

Vision in tower in Monte Cassino

Confronted by Scholastica

Develops community/Rule at Monte Cassino

Florentius poisons his bread: he leaves for Monte Cassino

First successful monastic experiences

Monks poison his wine: he returns to the ‚desert‘

Vicovaro
Easter messanger comes to visit/ shepherds find him

Subiaco – 3 years in the cave

First miracle: runs away!
Childhood in Nursia, studies in Rome
After his First Miracle

When his nurse breaks a tray that she borrowed:

Benedict, who had always been a devout and thoughtful boy, felt sorry for
his nurse when he saw her weeping. Quietly picking up both the pieces, he
knelt down by himself and prayed earnestly to God, even to the point of
tears.

News of the miracle spread to all the country around Affile and stirred
up… admiration among the people…

Benedict, however, preferred to suffer ill-treatment from the world rather

than enjoy its praises. He wanted to spend himself labouring for God, not
to be honored by the applause of men.

So he stole away secretly from his nurse and fled to a lonely wilderness…
The Easter Messenger

The Lord appeared in a vision to a priest some distance away who had just
prepared his Easter dinner. ‚How can you prepare these delicacies for
yourself while my servant is out there in the wilds suffering from hunger?

He searched for him… until he found him hidden in the cave.

Today is the great feast of Easter.

‚It must be a great feast to have brought this kind visit‘ the man of God
replied, not realizing after his long separation from men that that day
was Easter Sunday.

Soon after, some shepherds discovered him in his cave…

Wiles of the devil

One day while the saint was alone, the tempter came in the form of a little
blackbird, which began to flutter in front of his face… He made the sign of
the Cross and the bird flew away.

The moment it left, he was seized with an unusually violent temptation…

• The evil spirit recalled to his mind a woman he had once seen
• Before he realized it his emotions were carrying him away
• Almost overcome in the struggle, he was on the point of abandoning
the lonely wilderness
• When suddenly with the help of God‘s grace he came to himself.
Wiles of the devil

• The evil spirit recalled to his mind a woman he had once seen
• Before he realized it his emotions were carrying him away
• Almost overcome in the struggle, he was on the point of abandoning
the lonely wilderness
• When suddenly with the help of God‘s grace he came to himself.

The demon of acedia… is the one that causes the most serious trouble of
all… First of all he makes it seem that the sun barely moves, if at all, and that
the day is fifty hours long. Then he constrains the monk to look constantly
out the windows, to walk outside the cell, to gaze carefully at the sun to
determine how far it stands from the ninth hour, to look now this way and
now that to see if perhaps one of the brethren appears from his cell…This
demon drives him along to desire other sites where he can more easily
procure life‘s necessities, more readily find work and make a real success of
himself… He joins to these reflections the memory of his dear onces and of
his former way of life.
Trading one burning for another

He noticed a thick patch of nettles and briers next to him. Throwing his
garment aside, he flung himself naked in to the sharp thorns and stinging
nettles. There he rolled and tossed until his whole body was in pain and
covered with blood. Yet once he had conquered pleasure through
suffering, his torn and bleeding skin served to drain off the poison of
temptation from his body.

…With the passing of this temptation Benedict‘s soul, like a field cleared of
briers, soon yielded a rich harvest of virtues.
Trading one burning for another

He noticed a thick patch of nettles and briers next to him. Throwing his
garment aside, he flung himself naked in to the sharp thorns and stinging
nettles. There he rolled and tossed until his whole body was in pain and
covered with blood. Yet once he had conquered pleasure through
suffering, his torn and bleeding skin served to drain off the poison of
temptation from his body.

…With the passing of this temptation Benedict‘s soul, like a field cleared of
briers, soon yielded a rich harvest of virtues.

No other demon follows close upon the heels of this one (when he is defeated)
but only a state of deep peace and inexpressible joy arise out of this struggle.
The monks of Vicovaro: first assassination attempt… poisoned wine

They wanted the man of God to be their new superior.

For some time he tried to discourage them by refusing their request, warning
them that his way of life would never harmonize with theirs. But they kept
insisting until in the end he gave his consent.

They put poison into his wine because ‚They cound not see why they should
have to force their settled minds into new ways of thinking.‘

Benedict realized: ‚It is impossible for me to stay here any longer‘.

Then he went back to the wilderness he loved, to live alone with himself in
the presence of his heavenly Father.
Florentius: second assassination attempt… poisoned bread

…still longed to enjoy the praise the saint was receiving, yet he was
unwilling to lead a praiseworthy life himself. At length his soul became so
blind with jealousy that he decided to poison a loaf of bread and sent it to
the servant of God as a sign of Christian fellowship.

…The saintly abbot now realized how deep the resentment of his enemy
was, and he felt grieved not so much for his own sake as for the priest‘s.
Florentius

After his failure to do away with the master, he determined instead to

destroy the souls of the disciples and for this purpose sent seven depraved
women into the garden of Benedict‘s monastery.

Convinced that the priest‘s hatred for him was the real cause of the
attack, he let envy have its way and taking only a few monks with him set
out to find a new home.
Scholastica

When darkness was setting in, they took their meal together and
continued their conversation at table until it was quite late. Then the holy
nun said to him, ‚Please do not leave me tonight, brother. Let us keep on
talking about the joys of heaven till morning.‘

‚What are you saying, sister?‘ he replied. ‚You know I cannot stay away
from the monastery.‘
Scholastica

It starts to pour as a consequence of Scholastica‘s prayer

…‘God forgive you, sister! What have you done?‘

When I appealed to you, you would not listen to me. So I turned to God and
He heard my prayer. Leave now if you can. Leave me here and go back to
your monastery.‘

This, of course, he could not do… They spent the entire night together and
both of them derived great profit from the holy thoughts they exchanged
about the interior life.

Reason for Scholastica‘s greater power:

Surely it is no more than right that her influence was greater than his, since
hers was the greater love.
Benedict‘s heart grows wide

Benedict and Servandus: In speaking of their hopes and longings they

were able to taste in advance the heavenly food that was not yet fully
theirs to enjoy.

When it was time to retire for the night, Benedict went to his room on the
second floor of the tower, leaving Servandus in the one below… their
disciples slept in the large building facing the tower.

Long before the night office began, the man of God was standing at his
window where he watched and prayed while the rest were still asleep.

…The whole world was gathered up before his eyes in what appeared to
be a single ray of light. As he gazed at all this dazzling display, he saw the
soul of Germanus, the bishop of Capua, being carried by angels up to
heaven in a ball of fire.
At Benedict‘s death

Two monks saw ‚a magnificent road covered with rich carpeting and
glittering with thousands of light. From his monastery it stretched
eastward in a straight line until it reached up into heaven.

Do you know who passed this way?

This is the road taken by blessed Benedict, the Lord‘s beloved, when he
went to heaven.
 Postmortem
Benedict‘s ascent: Pastoral development miracles
Benedict dies in the
arms of his brothers
Benedict‘s heart grows
Benedict does not get his way

Benedict works wonders: how?

Devil defeated/ Benedict has visions which aid pastorally

Whole Region converted/ Benedict goest to M.C.

Benedict shown to have qualities of Biblical characters and Spirit of Christ

Benedict does miracles in the community

Benedict prays that Maurus and the monk‘s abbot will see who is leading the monk astray

Monk is drawn away by the devil during prayers

Benedict cannot help an unruly flock

Abbot in Vicovaro
Trades one type of burning for another: becomes a spiritual director
Personal development: Temptation in the cave
In the cave: The shepherds

When they first looked through the thickets and caught sight of him
clothed in rough skins, they mistook him for some wild animal. Soon,
however, they recognized in him a servant of God, and many of them gave
up their sinful ways for a life of holiness.

As a result his name became known to all the people in that locality and
great numbers visited his cave, supplying him with the food he needed
and receiving from his lips in return spiritual food for their souls.
Benedict becomes a teacher of souls

Benedict is tempted: he noticed a thick patch of nettles and briers next to

him…With the passing of this temptation Benedict‘s soul, like a field cleared of
briers, soon yielded a rich harvest of virtues.

Soon after, many forsook the world to place themselves under his guidance,
for now that he was free from these temptations he was ready to instruct
others in the practice of virtue.

That is why Moses commanded the Levites to begin their service when they
were twenty-five years old and to become guardians of the sacred vessels only
at the age of fifty…Now the sacred vessels are the souls of the faithful. God‘s
chosen servants must therefore obey and serve and tire themselves out with
strenuous work as long as they are still subject to temptations. Only when full
maturity has left them undisturbed by evil thoughts are thy put in charge of
the sacred vessels, for then they become teachers of souls.
Benedict cannot lead an unruly flock: He leaves the community in
Vicovaro

These monks had an outlook on religious life entirely unlike his own and
were all conspiring against him. Now, if he had tried to force them to
remain under his rule, he might have forfeited his own fervour and peace
of soul and even turned his eyes from the light of contempation. Their
persistent daily faults would have left him almost too weary to correct his
own.
Was it right for Benedict to leave the community in Vicovaro?

In my opinion, Peter, a superior ought to bear patiently with a

community of evil men as long as it has some devout members who can
benefit from his presence. When none of the members are devout
enough to give any promise of good results, his efforts to help such a
community will prove to be a serious mistake, especially if there are
opportunities nearby to work more fruitfully for God.

…And if you do not mind continuing to listen, Peter, you will soon
discover that after blessed Benedict left that obstinate community he
restored to life many another soul that was spiritually dead.
Next stage: More people converted to Christ

As Benedict‘s influence spread over the surrounding countryside because

of his signs and wonders, a great number of men gathered around him to
devote themselves to God‘s service. Christ blessed his work and before
long he had established twelve monasteries there, with an abbot and
twelve monks in each of them. There were a few other monks whom he
kept with him, since he felt that they still needed his personal guidance.
The monk who is drawn away from prayer

After they had finished chanting the Psalms and had begun their silent
prayer, he noticed tha the restless monk was drawn outside by a little
black boy who was pulling at the edge of his habit.
The monk who is drawn away from prayer

After they had finished chanting the Psalms and had begun their silent
prayer, he noticed tha the restless monk was drawn outside by a little
black boy who was pulling at the edge of his habit.

‚Do you see who is leading that monk out of the chapel?‘
‚No.‘
‚Let us pray the that you may see what is happening.‘
Miracles: Benedict replicates the wonders of the Bible

• Moses
• Elisha
• Peter
• Elijah
• David
Benedict as Moses

Three of the monasteries the saint had built close by stood on the bare rocky
heights. It was a real hardship for these monks always to go down to the lake to
get water for their daily needs.
…Benedict, in company with the little boy Placid, climbed to the rocky heights
and prayed there for a long time. On finishing his prayer he placed three stones
together to indicate the spot where he had knelt and then went back to the
monastery unnoticed.

‚You will find three stones there, one on top of the other. If you dig down a little,
you will see that alminghty God has the power to bring forth water even from
that rocky summit…‘

Numbers 20 2 Now there was no water for the community, and the people
gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron. 3 They quarreled with Moses and
said, “If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the LORD!...
7 The LORD said to Moses, 8 “Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron

gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will
pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so
they and their livestock can drink.”
Benedict as Elisha

A simple Goth drops the iron blade of an instrument into the deep part of
a lake.
‚The poor man ran trembling to Maurus and after describing the accident
told him how sorry he was for his carelessness. Maurus in turn informed
the servant of God, who on hearing what had happened went down to
the lake, took the handle from the Goth and thrust it in the water…

II Kings 6
The disciples of the prophets said to Elisha, “The place where we’re staying is
too small for us. 2 Let’s go to the Jordan River. Each of us can get some logs and
make a place for us to live there.” Elisha said, “Go ahead.” …They came to the
Jordan River and began to cut down trees. 5 As one of them was cutting down a
tree, the ax head fell into the water. He cried out, “Oh no, master! It was
borrowed!”
6 The man of God asked, “Where did it fall?” When he showed Elisha the place,

Elisha cut off a piece of wood. He threw it into the water at that place and
made the ax head float. 7 Elisha said, “Pick it up.” The disciple reached for it and
picked it up.
Benedict as the Apostle Peter

Placid falls into the lake and is drowning

Benedict: ‚Hurry, Brother Maurus! …the current is carrying him away!‘

What followed was remarkable indeed, and unheard of since the time of
Peter the apostle. Maurus asked for the blessing and on receiving it
hurried out to fulfill his abbot‘s command. He kept on running even over
the water till he reached the place where Placid was drifting along
helplessly. Pulling him up by the hair, Maurus rushed back to shore, still
under the impression that he was on dry land. It was only when he set
foot on the ground that he came to himself and looking back realized that
he had been running on the surface of the water.
Benedict as Elijah

At mealtime a raven used to come out of the nearby woods to receive

food from the saints‘ hands.

‚Take the bread and do not be afraid! Take it away from here and leave it
where no one can find it.‘
Benedict as David

After Florentius tries to poison Benedict, Maurus sends a message saying

that Benedict‘s ‚enemy‘ had been killed

Benedict was overcome with sorrow and regret on hearing this, for not
only had his enemy been killed, but one of his own disciples had rejoiced
over his death.
Benedict‘s true spirit revealed

Peter: This whole account is really amazing… This man must have been
filled with the spirit of all the just.

Gregory: Actually, Peter, blessed Benedict possessed the Spirit of only one
Person, the Savior who fills the hearts of all the faithful by granting them
the fruits of His redemption… Our Saviour was the only one to give His
followers the power to work signs and wonders, just as He alone could
assure His enemies that He would give them the sign of the prophet
Jonah.
Benedict‘s true enemy revealed

Although he moved to a different place, Peter, his enemy remained the

same. In fact, the assaults he had to endure after this were all the more
violent, because the very master of evil was fighting against him in open
battle.
The devil‘s frustration at Benedict‘s continued spiritual and pastoral
success:

After moving to Monte Cassino he turned the temple of Apollo into a chapel
dedicated to St. Martin.

Such losses the ancient enemy could not bear in silence… His shouts were so loud
that the brethren heard him too although they were unable to see him.

First he called Benedict by name. Then, finding that the saint would not answer,
he broke out in abusive language: ‚Benedict, Benedict, blessed Benedict!‘ He
would begin and then add ‚You cursed Benedict! Cursed not blessed! What do you
want with me? Why are you tormenting me like this?‘
The devil‘s frustration at Benedict‘s continued spiritual and pastoral
success:

After moving to Monte Cassino he turned the temple of Apollo into a chapel
dedicated to St. Martin.

Such losses the ancient enemy could not bear in silence… His shouts were so loud
that the brethren heard him too although they were unable to see him.

First he called Benedict by name. Then, finding that the saint would not answer,
he broke out in abusive language: ‚Benedict, Benedict, blessed Benedict!‘ He
would begin and then add ‚You cursed Benedict! Cursed not blessed! What do you
want with me? Why are you tormenting me like this?‘

Life of St. Antony

Satan: Why do the monks and all the other Christians find fault with me all
the time?
Antony responds: Why do you harass them?
Satan complains: It is not my fault; they are the ones upsetting themselves. I
am weak. Have you not read ‚The enemy have completely abandoned their
swords; you have sacked their cities?‘
The devil sitting on the rock

When two or three monks could not pick it up: ‚They were sure that the devil himself was
sitting on this stone and preventing them from moving it in spite of all their efforts.

Faced with this difficulty, they asked

Abbot Benedict to come and use his
prayers to drive away the devil who
was holding down the rock.

…The abbot then directed them to

spade up the earth where the stone
had been. When they had dug a
little way into the ground they came
upon a bronze idol, which they
threw into the kitchen for the time
being.
The devil sitting on the rock

Suddenly the kitchen appeared to be on fire and everyone felt that the entire
building was going up in flames.

Benedict… unable to see the fire which appeared so real to his monks, quietly
bowed his head in prayer and soon had opened their eyes to the foolish mistake
they were making.
The Devil causes a monk to be killed in an accident: turning point in the story

On another occasion they were working on one of the walls… the man of God was
in his room at the time praying, when the devil appeared to him and remarked
sarcastically that he was on his way to visit the brethren at their work.

Benedict quickly sent them word to be on their guard against the evil spirit who
would soon be with them.

Just as they received his warning, the devil overturned the wall, crushing under its
ruins the body of a very young monk…

Benedict restores him to life.

Thus, in spite of the devil‘s attempt to mock the man of God… the young man was
able to rejoin his brethren…

Meanwhile Benedict began to manifest the spirit of prophecy by foretelling

future events and describing to those who were with him what they had done in
his absence.
Monks eating away from the monastery

Upon lying about eating while away:

Why are you lying to me? Did you not enter the house of this particular woman
and eat these various foods and have so and so many cups to drink?

On hearing him mention the woman‘s hospitality and exactly what she had
given them to eat and drink, they clearly recalled the wrong they had done, fell
trembling at his feet and confessed their guilt. The man of God did not hesitate
to pardon them, confident that they would do no further wrong in his absence,
since they now realized he was always present with them in spirit.
Totila and Riggo test Benedict

As soon as he received word that he would be welcome, the crafty king

decided to put the saint‘s prophetic powers to a test. He had Riggo, his sword-
bearer, fitted out with royal robes and riding boots… As Riggo entered the
monastery grounds in his kingly robes and with all his attendants, Benedict
caught sight of him and as soon as the company came within hearing called out
from where he sat. ‚Son, lay aside the robes that you are wearing… they do not
belong to you.‘ 14
Totila and Riggo test Benedict

As soon as he received word that he would be welcome, the crafty king

decided to put the saint‘s prophetic powers to a test. He had Riggo, his sword-
bearer, fitted out with royal robes and riding boots… As Riggo entered the
monastery grounds in his kingly robes and with all his attendants, Benedict
caught sight of him and as soon as the company came within hearing called out
from where he sat. ‚Son, lay aside the robes that you are wearing… they do not
belong to you.‘ 14

Pagan philosophers test Antony

One day two philosophers came to see him – they were pagans – thinking
that they would be able to put Antony to the test. He was on the outer
mountain… He spoke to them through an interpreter: ‘Why do you trouble
yourselves, philosophers, coming to see such a foolish person?’ When they
said that he was not foolish but was very wise, he said to them, ‘… If you
think that I am wise, become like me…I am a Christian.’ 72
King Totila goes to Benedict

King Totila then went to the monastery in person. The moment he noticed the man
of God… he was fraid to come any closer and fell down prostrate where he was.

‚You are the cause of many evils. You have caused many in the past. Put an end now
to your wickedness. You will enter Rome and cross the sea. You have nine more
years to rule, and in the tenth year you will die.‘

Terrified at these words, the king asked for a blessing and went away. From that
time on he was less cruel. Not long after, he went to Rome and then crossed over to
Sicily. In the tenth year of his reign he lost his kingdom and his life as almight God
had decreed. 15
King Totila goes to Benedict

King Totila then went to the monastery in person. The moment he noticed the man
of God… he was fraid to come any closer and fell down prostrate where he was.

‚You are the cause of many evils. You have caused many in the past. Put an end now
to your wickedness. You will enter Rome and cross the sea. You have nine more
years to rule, and in the tenth year you will die.‘

Terrified at these words, the king asked for a blessing and went away. From that
time on he was less cruel. Not long after, he went to Rome and then crossed over to
Sicily. In the tenth year of his reign he lost his kingdom and his life as almight God
had decreed. 15

A certain military commander by the name of Balacius was cruelly persecuting us

Christians… Antony wrote a letter and sent it to him…: ‚I see wrath coming upon
you! Stop persecuting Christians or wrath will overtake you some day. It is already
on the point of arriving!‘
…Not five days had passed before the wrath overtook him… Everyone was amazed
that what Antony had said was fulfilled so quickly. 86
Benedict predicts the destruction of the monastery

One day on entering Benedict‘s room, Theoprobus found him weeping

bitterly.
… Almighty God has decreed that this entire monastery and everything I
have provided for the community shall fall into the hands of the
barbarians.
It was only with the greatest difficulty that I could prevail upon Him to
spare the lives of its members. 17
Benedict predicts the destruction of the monastery

One day on entering Benedict‘s room, Theoprobus found him weeping

bitterly.
… Almighty God has decreed that this entire monastery and everything I
have provided for the community shall fall into the hands of the
barbarians.
It was only with the greatest difficulty that I could prevail upon Him to
spare the lives of its members. 17

Antony has a vision related to the Arians

Wrath is about to seize hold of the Church and she is about to be handed
over to people who are like irrational (alogos) animals.
For I saw the altar of the Church and all around her mules were standing
in a circle, kicking thos who were inside…

This teaching is irrational (alogos) and sterile and comes from unorthodox
thinking, just as mules are irrational (alogos). 82
Benedict performs miracles that aid spiritual growth in his
disciples

Once when the saintly abbot was taking his evening meal… the brother
who was holding the lamp for him grumbled in his heart…

Brother, what are you saying? Sign your heart!

Later when asked what he had done wrong, the monk explained how he
had given in to the spirit of pride and silently murmured against the man
of God. At this the brethren all realized that nothing could be kept secret
from their holy abbot, since he could hear even the unspoken sentiments
of the heart. 20
Multiplication of loaves

During a time of famine the severe shortage of food was causing a great
deal of suffering in Campania. At Benedict‘s monastery the entire grain
supply had been used up and nearly all the bread was gone as well. In
fact, when mealtime came, only five loaves could be found to set before
the community.

Noticing how downcast they were, the saint gently reproved them for
their lack of trust in God and at the same time tried to raise their
dejected spirits with a comforting assurance.
‚What if today there is only a little? Tomorrow you will have more than
you need.‘

…No one ever discovered whose services almighty God had emplyed in
bringing (30 large sacks of wheat) there.
Increase of Oil

When asked by a poor person for oil, the cellarer disobeyed Benedict‘s
command and did not give to him the little bit of oil he had left.

‚If I had, there would have been none left for the community.‘
This angered the man of God, who wanted nothing to remain in the
monastery through disobedience, and he told another monk to take the
glass with the oil in it and throw it out hte window. This time he was
obeyed… It was still unbroken and none of the oil had spilled.

Abbot Benedict had the glass brought back… After this the saint knelt
down to pray with the brethren.

Oil filled all the casks in the storeroom… He urged the disobedient monk
to strive to grow in faith and humility. 29
Benedict opens the eyes of one of his monks

One of Benedict‘s monks had set his fickle heart on leaving the
monastery. Time and again the man of God pointed out how wrong this
was and tried to reason with him but without any success… Finally
Benedict lost patience with him and told him to go.

Hardly had he left the monastery grounds when he noticed to his horror
that a dragon with gaping jaws was blocking his way… His brothers ran to
the rescue but could see nothing of the dragon.

Once safe within the walls of the monastery he promised never to leave
again. And this time he kept his word, for Benedict‘s prayers had enabled
him to see with his own eyes the invisible dragon that had been leading
him astray. 25
Benedict frees a farmer from the wrath of Zalla

At the sound of this angry voice the man of God looked up from his reading
and, as he glanced toward Zalla, noticed the farmer with his hands bound
together. The moment he caught sight of the cord that held them, it fell
miraculously to the ground.

Benedict restores a boy to life

The boy‘s father said: ‚He is dead. Come! Bring him back to life!‘

Deeply grieved at his words, the man of God turned to his disciples. ‚Stand
back, brethren! Such a miracle is beyond our power. The holy apostles are the
only ones who can raise the dead. Why are you so eager to accept what is
impossible for us.

But overwhelming sorrow compelled the man to keep on pleading…

Benedict prays over him… ‚No one present there could doubt that this sudden
stirring was due to a heavenly intervention.‘
Concerning Benedict‘s Rule

He wrote a Rule for Monks that is remarkable for its discretion and its clarity
of language. Anyone who wishes to know more about his life and character
can discover in his Rule exactly what he was like as an abbot, for his life could
not have differed from his teaching.