Benedict Of Nursia: A Mystic Or Not?

What is the relic of St Benedict of Nursia?

This oval glass-fronted silver reliquary holds the first-class ex ossibus relic of Saint Benedict of Nursia, a Christian saint venerated in the Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Churches. The relic is affixed to a red silk ground and is identified as S. Benedicti Ab. (Saint Benedict, Abbott) in Latin. The back of the theca is secured with a preserved seal of red Spanish wax bearing the imprint of a coat of arms of Father Andrea Mastai-Ferretti, the Bishop of Pesaro.

The theca is accompanied by authentic documents issued and signed by Fr. Mastai-Ferretti in 1816. Saint Benedict is considered the founder of Western Christian monasticism and is a holy patron of various professions, including agricultural workers, civil engineers, coppersmiths, dying people, erysipelas, farmers, fever, gall stones, Heraldry, the Institute of Christ, inflammatory diseases, Italian architects, kidney disease, monks, nettle rash, Norcia, religious orders, schoolchildren, servants, spelologists, spelunkers, and temptations.

What are the 4 types of monks?

Chapter 1 of the Code of Benedictine Canon Law outlines the four principal types of monks: Cenobites, Anchorites, Sarabites, and Gyrovagi. The Rule is written for the first of these classes, as they are the most stable. Chapter 2 describes the qualifications of an abbot and forbids him from making distinctions of persons in the monastery except for particular merit. Chapter 3 ordains the calling of the brethren to council upon all affairs of importance to the community.

Chapter 4 summarizes the duties of the Christian life under seventy-two precepts, which are mainly Scriptural either in letter or in spirit. Chapter 5 prescribes prompt, cheerful, and absolute obedience to the superior in all things lawful, which is called the first degree of humility. Chapter 6 deals with silence, recommending moderation in the use of speech but not prohibiting profitable or necessary conversation. Chapter 7 treats of humility, which virtue is divided into twelve degrees or steps in the ladder that leads to heaven.

Chapters 9-19 are occupied with the regulation of the Divine Office, the opus Dei, or Canonical Hours, seven of the day and one of the night. Detailed arrangements are made as to the number of Psalms, etc., to be recited in winter and summer, on Sundays, weekdays, Holy Days, and at other times. Chapter 19 emphasizes the reverence due to the presence of God. Chapter 20 directs that prayer in common be short.

Chapt 21 provides for the appointment of deans over every ten monks and prescribes the manner in which they are to be chosen. Chapter 22 regulates all matters relating to the dormitory, such as having each monk have a separate bed and sleep in his habit. Chapter 23-30 deal with offences against the Rule and a graduated scale of penalties is provided.

Chapt 31 and 32 order the appointment of a cellarer and other officials to take charge of the various goods of the monastery, which are to be treated with as much care as the consecrated vessels of the altar. Chapter 33 forbids the private possession of anything without the leave of the abbot, who is bound to supply all necessaries. Chapter 34 prescribes a just distribution of such things.

Chapt 36 and 37 order due care for the sick, the old, and the young. They are to have certain dispensations from the strict Rule, chiefly in the matter of food. Chapter 38 prescribes reading aloud during meals, which duty is to be performed by such of the brethren, week by week, as can do so with edification to the rest.

Chapt 39 and 40 regulate the quantity and quality of the food. Two meals a day are allowed, two dishes of cooked food at each, a pound of bread also, and a hemina (probably about half a pint) of wine for each monk. Flesh-meat is prohibited except for the sick and the weak, and it is always within the abbot’s power to increase the daily allowance when he sees fit.

Chapt 49 treats of the observance of Lent, and recommends some voluntary self-denial for that season, with the abbot’s sanction. Chapters 50 and 51 contain rules for monks working in the fields or traveling. Chapter 52 commands that the oratory be used for purposes of devotion only. Chapter 53 is concerned with the treatment of guests, who are to be received “as Christ Himself”. This Benedictine hospitality is a feature which has in all ages been characteristic of the order.

The Rule of St. Benedict is a set of rules and regulations that aimed to maintain the monastic life in Egypt and the West. It was designed to be sufficient in both quantity and quality, suited to the climate and locality, and as plain and cheap as possible. Each monk was required to have a change of garments, allow for washing, and be supplied with clothes of better quality when traveling. Old habits were put aside for the poor.

The Rule also enjoined humility on the craftsmen of the monastery, and their work should be sold at a lower price than the current trade price. The admission of new members was not made too easy, but St. Benedict’s outline was adhered to. The postulant first spent a short time as a guest, then was admitted to the novitiate, where his vocation was severely tested. After twelve months of probation, he may be admitted to the vows of Stability, Conversion of Life, and Obedience, by which he binds himself for life to the monastery of his profession.

Chapters 59, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, and 74 are all part of the Rule. Chapter 69 forbids the monks from defending one another, while Chapter 70 prohibits them from striking one another. Chapter 71 encourages the brethren to be obedient not only to the abbot and his officials but also to one another.

The Rule is marked by its discretion, moderation, extreme reasonableness, and keen insight into the capabilities and weaknesses of human nature. There are no excesses, extraordinary asceticism, or narrow-mindedness, but rather a series of sober regulations based on sound common-sense. These qualities are evident in the deliberate elimination of austerities and concessions made with regard to what the monks of Egypt would have looked upon as luxuries.

In terms of food, the Egyptian ascetics reduced it to a minimum, eating only twice or thrice a week, while Cassian described a meal consisting of parched vetches with salt and oil, three olives, two prunes, and a fig as a “sumptuous repast”. St. Benedict, on the other hand, ordered a pound of bread daily and two dishes of cooked food at each meal, of which there were two in summer and one in winter. He also conceded an allowance of wine, though admitting that it should not properly be the drink of monks.

In terms of sleep, St. Benedict ordered from six to eight hours of unbroken sleep a day, with the addition of a siesta in summer. The Egyptian monks often slept on the bare ground, with stones or mats for pillows, and often merely sitting or reclining. However, St. Benedict allowed not only a blanket but also a coverlet, a mattress, and a pillow to each monk. This comparative liberality with regard to the necessaries of life was far greater than among the Italian poor of the sixth century or many of the European peasantry at the present day.

In conclusion, the Rule of St. Benedict is a learned and mysterious abridgement of the doctrines of the Gospel, the institutions of the Fathers, and the Counsels of Perfection.

What was Saint Benedict noted for?

Benedict is renowned for his holiness and wisdom. He advised kings and popes, read people’s consciences, and is believed to have had the gift of prophecy. He performed miracles. His passing in 543 was relocated to July 11, as it typically occurs during the Lenten season.

What are silent monks called?

The Rule defines monks as disciples, with the defining quality being the practice of silence and the act of listening. Trappists, also known as contemplative monks, interact minimally with the world outside the monastery, primarily engaged in worship and silent study.

What was Benedict accused of?

A report by the Catholic Church in Munich accused Benedict of mishandling sexual abuse cases. In response, Benedict issued an apology for any grievous faults but denied any wrongdoing.

Who is the patron saint of exorcism?

This St. Benedict Exorcism Medal necklace is a unique and elegant gift for those who love Saint Benedict. It features a 22-inch chain, suitable for men, women, and teens, and features a three-dimensional design that combines with a classic lobster buckle. The necklace is designed to be long enough and low in height, making it suitable for wearing alone or layered with other necklaces. The necklace is made with fine detail and craftsmanship, using die-struck process, 3D suspension method engraving, and advanced electroplating technology.

The medal is filled with holy, strength, prayers, and blessings, making it an ideal choice for those who love Saint Benedict. This necklace is a perfect gift for those who appreciate the power of the Holy Father.

What are some interesting facts about St Benedict of Nursia?

Saint Benedict was a prominent figure in religious history who is credited with performing a number of miracles throughout his lifetime. These include locating water on a remote mountaintop, retrieving an iron object from a lake, and interceding to prevent a monk from embracing a dissolute lifestyle.

What is the spirituality of Benedict?

Benedictine spirituality, influenced by St. Benedict’s Rule (c. 540), is a monastic approach centered on seeking God under the guidance of an abbot. The monks’ primary task is to praise God through a community recitation of the Latin Psalter, which is repeated seven times a day. The day is divided into three periods of prayer, work, and body care. Meditation on scripture is common, and eucharist is the central exercise. This monastic ideal is shared by lay “oblates” and was the basis for the Daily Office of the BCP.

What did Benedict believe in?

The Benedictine Rulebook, written by Benedict around 530, is a strict guide for the monastic life that was lived out by numerous monks and nuns throughout Europe during the Middle Ages. Benedict, an Italian Christian, became a monk at the age of 20 after visiting Rome and was shocked by the immoral life in the Holy City. He founded his own monastery in 529 and emphasized absolute obedience to the Abbot.

This strict rule was intended to prevent monks from excesses and to encourage those who were less enthusiastic. The monastery was not a prison camp for offenders but a loving community where people came together to help each other and submit their lives to the will of God.

Benedict created the rule at a time when the Roman Empire collapsed and Europe was being overrun by barbarian tribes, mostly pagans. Benedictine monasteries kept the faith alive through their short, simple rulebook, which allowed them to clone themselves unstoppably. Later, monasteries were encouraged by Charlemagne and spread like wildfire. Benedict also required monks to spend time in reading, keeping theology and culture alive during centuries when almost the entire continent was illiterate.

What kind of monk was St. Benedict?

Saint Benedict, also known as Benedictus Nursiae, was an Italian Catholic monk who is revered in various religious denominations, including the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Lutheran Churches, Anglican Communion, and Old Catholic Churches. He is depicted in the Benedetto Portinari Triptych by Hans Memling. The triptych features various depictions of Saint Benedict, including a bell, book, broken cup, serpent, bush, crosier, man in a Benedictine cowl, and a raven holding a bound bundle of sticks.

The triptych also includes references to various professions, such as agriculture, civil engineering, coppersmithing, dying people, and more. Saint Benedict’s teachings have been applied to various fields, including medicine, inflammatory diseases, and religious orders.