Friday 21st March 2025 – Saint Benedict is often called the founder of Western Christian monasticism. He died on 21st March, 547. Benedict’s main achievement is his ‘Rule of Saint Benedict’, containing a set of rules for his monks and nuns to follow. It has a unique spirit of balance, moderation and reasonableness. Today those who follow the Rule of Saint Benedict celebrate his death. It is the main feastday of St Benedict for monks and nuns, whereas the worldwide Church celebrates the feast of St Benedict on 11th July. As to why is another story – not for now! During this Lenten season, we must see that our life before death is a preparation for our hoped-for share in the Risen Life of Christ – the everlasting life of God. For those who endeavour to live the Rule set out on a pilgrimage towards the Heavenly Jerusalem – the way is hard and full of trials, but in prayer, meditation and even the daily routine, the goal is constantly remembered. The Rule, following the precepts of the Gospel, presents the journey before our death as a time of transformation through grace, of dying to self, of passion and crucifixion, but always with our focus on our hoped-for life in Christ.
Now this is the following of Christ that is made at Baptism be all Christians but is emphasised at monastic profession. Following the Rule with a love that seeks to sacrifice all for the sake of the Gospel is therefore how monks and nuns should relate to each other.
Of course how we relate to each other – whether or not a person is a monks or nun – is dying to self and this has real meaning, for as St Benedict says we are to bear with patience the weaknesses of others, whether of body or behaviour. Monks and nuns are to listen to each other and be attentive to each other’s needs; they are not to follow their own good, but the good of others. Of course this is a pattern for all Christian living – care for others, prayer, and discipline.
By letting his life be moulded by these three elements – care for others, prayer and self-discipline, Saint Benedict learned the true meaning of Wisdom. He gained an understanding of goodness, of justice and a perception of what is fair. He knew full well the difficulties this involved, only a self-centred fool would set out on this journey if they were not really willing to offer their thoughts, their words and their actions to Christ, the Way, the Truth and the Life. But every baptised person must see in the example of the monastic life some elements that should be present in the behaviour of all Christians. All Christians must pray each day and care for others, not in the way monks and nuns do, but according to the circumstances of their lives.
