St. Benedict of Nursia is one of the greatest saints in our Church history. He lived at the end of the fifth century and the beginning of the sixth century. Benedict grew up in Rome, but as a very young man (mid-teens) he left home, seeking a place where he could dedicate himself completely to God and to prayer. He eventually made his way south from Rome to Mount Subiaco. There he found a cave where he could live and would stay there, spending his day in prayer. (Arrangements were made for one person to be the one in the cave and someone else who would bring food.)
    
After some time, people would run into Benedict on the mountain and would talk with him. He became known this way, and people seeking a life of solitude and prayer came to him for guidance. Some stayed on the mountain, finding their own little cave, and thus began the life of monasticism in the Church.
    
Benedict wrote a rule for this group of men, which has become a model for most of the rules for monks and nuns, for religious orders, and even lay associates of these orders, down to the present time. His founding of the missionary life and the Rule of St. Benedict are his great legacy.
    
Benedict had a twin sister named Scholastica. She, too, became a hermit and the mother of the female branch of the Benedictines, and a saint. 
    
Many here fondly remember the Benedictine sisters who served here at Mother of God. They were/are from the Monastery of St. Walburg, in Villa Hills. Also, St. Benedict Church is one of our sister parishes here in Covington. It was founded by Benedictines and operated by them until just a few years ago.

The Church honors St. Benedict on Thursday, July 11.