Saint Benedict of Nursia is a very popular saint known for writing the Rule of Saint Benedict, for his fight against the devil, and for his powerful medal.
But do you know the story behind why he fled Rome? Benedictine monk Saint Gregory the Great explains in the saint’s biography.
Saint Benedict is sent to Rome
Saint Benedict’s parents sent him to Rome to study philosophy and letters, where he mastered Latin, the national language of the time.
But as the city was a huge economic and cultural center, all kinds of people lived there: fervent Christians, lukewarm Christians, atheists, pagans, barbarians, and people from different parts of the world.
Especially among young people, the environment was not at all conducive, and Saint Benedict realized that if he continued there, he would corrupt himself and abandon the faith.
St. Benedict then realized that in the fight against sin, cowards win, that is, those who flee temptation and stay away from dangerous situations.
Those who often try to “face” the devil head often give in to his advances.
So St. Benedict fled Rome and went to a distant village, where he devoted himself to prayer, meditation, and penance.
What a beautiful tip this saint gives us: at a time of temptation, we should flee and ask for God’s grace.
Prayer to Saint Benedict of Nursia
O glorious St. Benedict,
sublime model of all virtues,
pure vessel of God’s grace!
Behold me, humbly kneeling at thy feet.
I implore thy loving heart to pray for me
before the throne of God.
To thee I have recourse in all the dangers
which daily surround me.
Shield me against my enemies,
inspire me to imitate thee in all things.
May thy blessing be with me always,
so that I may shun whatever God forbids
and avoid the occasions of sin.
Amen.
Prayer source: The Catholic Company