Order of Carmelites

Memorial of St. Benedict

Today, July 11, is the memorial of Saint Benedict.

Founder of the Benedictines.

Benedict was born at Nursia in Umbria about the year 480, with his twin St. Scholastica.

He was educated at Rome. He began the eremitic life at Subiaco where he gathered disciples, and then went to Monte Cassino. There he established the famous monastery and composed the Benedictine Rule.

Because this rule was subsequently adopted throughout Europe, he became known as the Father of Western Monasticism. He died in 547.