Prayer of Saint Benedict Patron of Religious Men

Prayer of Saint Benedict

O holy Father Saint Benedict, faithful servant of Christ and wise teacher of the spiritual life, you showed by your example that nothing is to be preferred to the love of God.

Help us to walk in the path of humility, obedience, and perseverance. Teach us to seek God in prayer and work, to live in peace with one another, and to remain faithful in times of trial.

Intercede for religious men, that they may live their vows with joy and fidelity, serve God with undivided hearts, and be a witness of holiness to the world.

Saint Benedict, patron of religious men and protector against evil, pray for us.

Amen.

St. Benedict of Nursia is recognized as the patron saint against temptations, witchcraft, various diseases, poisoning, all evil, and death. He is also the patron saint of monks and poison sufferers. His patronage extends to agricultural workers, cavers, civil engineers, coppersmiths, dying people, Europe, farmers, and those suffering from fever, gall stones, erysipelas, inflammatory diseases, kidney disease, nettle rash, and temptations. Additionally, he is considered the patron of people in religious orders, schoolchildren, students, servants who have broken their master's belongings, speleologists, and spelunkers.

St. Benedict (c. 480-547 AD) is a pivotal figure in Christian history, particularly known for founding Western monasticism. Born into a wealthy family in Nursia, Italy, he initially pursued studies in Rome but was disillusioned by the city's immorality, leading him to become a hermit in Subiaco. His spiritual wisdom attracted followers, and he established twelve monasteries. He is most famous for composing "The Rule of Saint Benedict," a set of guidelines for monastic life that combines spiritual and administrative wisdom. This Rule, which emphasizes obedience, humility, and a balance of prayer, work, and study, was widely adopted and continues to influence religious orders today.

St. Benedict is often depicted with a bell, a cup and serpent representing poison, a broken utensil, a crosier, and a raven. These symbols relate to various attempts on his life, including an instance where a poisoned cup shattered when he blessed it, and another where a raven carried away a poisoned loaf of bread. He performed numerous miracles, such as finding water on a desolate mountaintop, retrieving an iron bill hook from a lake, and enabling a monk to walk on water.

He died on March 21, 550 AD, and was buried alongside his twin sister, Saint Scholastica. His feast day is celebrated on July 11th, commemorating the transfer of his remains. St. Benedict's influence on Western civilization and monasticism is profound, despite never intending to found a new religious order or becoming a priest.