CONTEMPLATIVE ORDERS:

BENEDICTINESBy Jeff AlbrightChad CousinoAlfred Brown

Founder

The founder of the Benedictines was Saint Benedict of Nursia.

Honored by the Roman Catholic Church as the patron saint of Europe and students.

Beginning of Order

The Monte Cassino was the first monastery founded in 529 by Benedict of Nursia.

The Benedictine communities were locally found in central Italy.

They were founded for monks first then later nuns.

Mission of Order

St. Benedict founded his monastery to be a "school for the Lord's service." It was to provide the beginning of a new effort to preserve the treasures of human culture in the centuries to come.

Benedict had no intention that the preservation of culture would become an important contribution of his monks.

Order Today

Benedictine life is formed around the Gospel of Christ and is lived in witness to this Good News in peace and simplicity. It strives to create a background surrounded by Christian values and an attitude of acceptance to the Spirit. Benedictine education bases its inspiration and values from the order and monastic tradition.

Interesting Facts

Benedictines deserve the credit for introducing the idea of the dignity of work into the culture of the West.

Benedictines do not take a vow of silence but hours are set aside and silence is maintained as much as possible.