St Benedict's Feast

The feast of Saint Benedict of Nursia is celebrated on July 11 by the Catholic Church.

St Benedict is known as the "Father of Western Monasticism" and is a co-patron of Europe. He was born in Nursia, Italy around 480 CE and died in Monte Cassino around 547 CE.

St Benedict established a rule for monastic life that became the standard for monasteries across Europe. The rule is made up of 73 chapters that cover both the spiritual and administrative aspects of a monastery. 

The motto of Saint Benedict's rule is Ora et labora, which means "pray and work".

St Benedict founded the Benedictine Order.  In 1964, Pope Paul VI declared Saint Benedict the patron saint of Europe.