Fast, concise facts and information about Saint Benedict
The following provides fast and concise facts and information:
- The patron of Europe, kidney disease and students
- Born: c.480
- Memorial Day / Feast Day: March 21st
- Date of Death: Saint Benedict died in 543
- Cause of Death: Natural Causes (a fever)
Who or what is Saint Benedict the patron saint of?
Saint Benedict is the patron of Europe, kidney disease and students. Meanings, definition and origins - a patron is considered to be a defender of a specific group of people or of a nation. There is a patron for virtually every cause, profession or special interest. Prayers are considered more likely to be answered by asking a patron for intercession on their behalf.
Prayer to Saint Benedict
The Story and History of Saint Benedict
The story and history of Saint Benedict. Saint Benedict of Nursia was the founder of the Benedictine monastries and the Benedictine rule. He started life as a wealthy Roman but following his conversion to Christianity he became a hermit. He attracted many followers due to his pious way of life and established the Benedictine rule.
Death of Saint Benedict
There are two categories of saints: martyrs and confessors. A Christian martyr is regarded as one who is put to death for his Christian faith or convictions. Confessors are people who died natural deaths. Date of Death: Saint Benedict died in 543. Cause of Death: Natural Causes.
Why is Saint Benedict the Patron Saint of Kidneys?
Because his dedication to God was so respected that the monks of a neighboring monastery asked him to be their abbot. Unfortunately, Saint Benedict's discipline was so harsh that the monks attempted to remove him by poisoning his kidneys with poisoned drink and bread. The attempt failed and he escaped back to his mountain refuge.
How Saint Benedict is represented in Christian Art
It is helpful to be able to recognise Saint Benedict in paintings, stained glass windows, illuminated manuscripts, architecture and other forms of Christian art. The artistic representations reflect the life or death of saints, or an aspect of life with which the person is most closely associated. St. Benedict , the founder of the Benedictine order of monks, has several attributes in Christian Art. The broken pitcher, or glass, or wine-cup is in allusion to the attempt of some perverted monks to poison him in a cup of wine; but which, when the saint made the sign of the Cross upon it, instantly fell from the hand of the traitor, to be shattered on the ground. The loaf of bread, with a serpent creeping from it, similarly expresses the attempt of the monk Florentius to poison him with a loaf of bread, under the instigation of the Evil One. The asperge for sprinkling holy water is given him because he so often resisted the attacks of the demon; and the thorn bush, because, when the demon tempted him by conjuring up a vision of a very beautiful woman, St. Benedict cast himself into a thicket of briars and nettles. The roses said to have been propagated from these briars are shown in the monastery garden of Subiaco in Italy.
Feast Day of Saint Benedict
The Feast Day of Saint Benedict is March 21st. The origin of Feast Days: most saints have specially designated feast days and are associated with a specific day of the year and these are referred to as the saint's feast day. The feast days first arose from the very early Christian custom of the annual commemoration of martyrs on the dates of their deaths at the same time celebrating their birth into heaven.