Benedict of Nursia (c.480-c.540)

Benedict was born around A.D. 480 at Nursia, in central Italy, and went to Rome as a young man. Rome at that time was characterized by political instability, barbarian invasions, and the decline of Roman society. Benedict's disapproval of the manners and morals of Rome led him to a vocation of monastic seculsion. He withdrew to a hillside cave above Lake Subiaco, 40 miles west of Rome where there was at least one other monk. Gradually a community grew up around Benedict, leading to the founding of twelve communities of monks over an interval of some years. His chief founding was Monte Cassino, an abbey which stands to this day as the mother house of the world-wide Benedictine order. Benedict died sometime between 540 and 550 and was buried next to his sister, Scholastica.

Benedict wrote his Rule for monks around AD 540. One who follows the Benedictine Rule takes a vow of "stability, conversion of life, and obedience." In the Anglican Communion today, the rules of many religious orders are influenced by Benedict's Rule.

• The Holy Rule of St. Benedict

The Anglican Library, copyright 1999.