Have you ever heard of St Benedict, the patron saint of Europe?
It is believed that Benedict was born in Norcia (in Umbria) in the year 480. According to the second volume of the Dialogues written by Pope Gregory I, he left home and his studies sometime before the year 500. He travelled to Enfide, a village in the Simbruini mountains, where he encountered a Roman priest from Subiaco. On the priest’s advice, Benedict withdrew into solitude, living as a hermit for three years.
Pope Gregory recounts that during this time Benedict grew profoundly in his spiritual life. In due course, he established twelve small monasteries in Subiaco, and in 530 he founded the monastery of Monte Cassino, which remains an important site for Catholics to this day.
Interestingly, much of the Rule of St Benedict was not composed by Benedict himself but drawn from earlier sources, particularly the Regula Magistri, an ancient rule for monastic life. Scholars believe that only the later sections of the Benedictine Rule were written directly by Benedict, where his true voice emerges. The Rule’s purpose is to shape monks into a genuine community. Benedictines take three vows: obedience to the Superior, stability within their particular monastery, and fidelity to the monastic way of life.
The motto ora et labora et lege captures the essence of Benedictine spirituality. Lege refers to reading, especially of the Word of God. The work (labora) undertaken by Benedictines is carried out above all for the good of the community. It is worth noticing that the word ora (prayer) is contained within labora (work): prayer is found within work. In Benedictine spirituality, then, work done with true love for the community becomes itself a form of prayer. This reflects the desire for stability and balance, the cornerstone of the Benedictine Rule.
What, then, can we draw from Benedictine spirituality? Within the SDC we see several of its elements at play. Chief among these is The Watch, which helps SDC members to remain in God’s presence throughout the day, even during their work. Community life too is essential for members of the SDC, as it forms the very foundation of formation within the SDC.
Therefore, I encourage you to pray regularly throughout the day, keeping yourself in God’s presence. Read the Word of God daily. Carry out your work with true love for others, so that it becomes your prayer. In this way, you will take steps closer to holiness, for you will be becoming a better person.
Kurt Caruana
SDC Candidate
