Benedict of Nursia

Born 2 March 480, Benedict was an Italian monk who founded twelve monastic communities at Subiaco, east of Rome, before relocating to Monte Cassino in the mountains of central Italy. His Rule of Saint Benedict, influenced by John Cassian and the earlier Rule of the Master, laid out guidelines for monastic life marked by balance, moderation, and reasonableness — qualities that set it apart and made it the foundation for most religious orders established throughout the Middle Ages. The confederation that would become the Order of Saint Benedict emerged later from his work. He died 21 March 547,…