St. Benedict

St. Benedict was born in Nursia, Italy, 480 A.D.  As a young man, he studied in Rome, but after  a few years there he decided to abandon the world and seek God.  He established a monastic tradition based on his “Monastic Rule”.  Benedict founded the celebrated monastery of Monte Casino, and because of his Holy Rule he was named the Patriarch of Monasticism in Europe.

During his earthly life St. Benedict had a fervent devotion to the cross of Our Lord and by virtue of this sign he wrought miracles and overcame the devil and his temptations.  The name of St. Benedict came to be intimately associated with the cross of Christ, and in the course of time a medal was struck in his honor.