Solemnity of Our Holy Father Benedict, Abbot

Saint Benedict (480-547)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 33 Monks and Private Ownership

Mass: Pr 2:1-9; Resp Ps 34 (Taste and See the Goodness of God); Eph 4:1-6 or Col 3:12-17; Lk 22:24-27 or Mt 19:27-29 or Mt 5:1-12a

Listen carefully, my son, to the master's instructions.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

Let them prefer nothing whatever to Christ,

and may He bring us all together to everlasting life.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, 72:11-12)

Welcome to another Monday and the blessing of not just another Monday. Rejoice in the Lord, let me say it again, rejoice! It is the Solemnity of our holy father Saint Benedict, who Pope Saint Paul VI proclaimed the principal patron saint of Europe in his 1964 apostolic letter Pacis Nuntius. In the letter, Pope Paul VI gave Saint Benedict the illustrious titles of messenger of peace, creator of unity, teacher of civility, and above all the herald of the religion of Christ and the founder of western monasticism. We give glory to God and ask Saint Benedict, Pope Saint Paul VI, and Cardinal Basil Hume to intercede for all members of the Order of Saint Benedict throughout the world, for their spiritual and temporal welfare.

One thing hasn't changed about this Monday. Like others, it is busy. And at only 9:20 a.m. we've put in a fair share of ora, not without some labora. Since "idleness is the enemy of the soul", we "have specified periods for manual labor as well as for prayerful reading" (Rule of Saint Benedict, 48:1). United in faith and prayer and "clothed then with faith and the performance of good works, let us set out on this way, with the Gospel as our guide, that we may deserve to see Him who has called us to His heavenly kingdom" (RB Prologue 21). Moreover, "as we progress in this way of life and in faith, we shall run on the path of God's commandments, our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love" (RB Prologue 49).

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, 

giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

(Col. 3:17)

OUR HOLY FATHER SAINT BENEDICT,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Used with permission of the Benedictine Sisters of Mt. Angel, OR. Icon through the hand of Brother Claude, OSB. And attend to them with the ear of your hearts.

© Gertrude Feick 2022