Benedict of Nursia

Life

Benedict of Nursia (Latin: Benedictus de Nursia) was the monk who laid the foundation of monasticism in the Western church. The Catholic Church in Korea refers to him as Seong Benedikto ("Saint Benedict"). His life is known chiefly from the second book of the Dialogues, written by Pope Gregory I in the late sixth century. Because this account contains legendary elements, precise dates cannot be established.

He was born around 480 in Nursia in central Italy and studied in Rome. According to tradition, disillusioned by the dissolute atmosphere of the city, he withdrew to live as a hermit in a cave at Subiaco. As followers gathered around him, he founded several small monasteries in the Subiaco area. Around 529 he moved to Monte Cassino, between Rome and Naples, where he established a monastery, and he died there around 547. Scholastica, traditionally regarded as his sister, is also said to have led a community of women religious.

Work and Achievements

His greatest achievement is the Rule of Saint Benedict, a rule of life in seventy-three chapters that governs the daily routine and organization of a monastic community and balances communal prayer, labor, and spiritual reading. The Rule calls the prayer of the Psalms, offered by the community gathered at fixed hours, the "Work of God" (Opus Dei) and gives it first place. Monks take three vows: obedience to the abbot; stability, remaining for life in a single community; and conversion of life (conversatio morum), the continual amendment of one's whole manner of living. The Rule is noted for emphasizing moderation and balance rather than excessive asceticism.

Its spirit is often summarized as "Pray and work" (ora et labora), but this phrase does not appear verbatim in the Rule; it is a motto attached later. The Rule became the standard for monasteries in Western Europe, and throughout the Middle Ages monasteries preserved learning and culture through manuscript copying, education, and agriculture. In 1964 Pope Paul VI proclaimed him patron saint of Europe.

Influence on the Korean Church

The Benedictine tradition first came to Korea in 1909, when Benedictine missionaries of the Congregation of St. Ottilien in Germany established a monastery in Seoul. They later moved their work to Tokwon in Hamgyong Province and to Yanji in Manchuria, and after Korea's liberation they suffered persecution under the North Korean regime. After the Korean War they reestablished their monastery at Waegwan in North Gyeongsang Province. This history belongs to the Catholic Church.

There is no direct line of succession in Protestantism. However, lectio divina ("divine reading"), the practice of reading Scripture slowly, meditating on it, and moving into prayer, has been introduced as a monastic tradition made known through the Rule, and some churches use it in spiritual formation. Archer Torrey (Korean name Dae Cheon-deok), an Anglican priest, founded the interdenominational community Jesus Abbey (Yesuwon) in 1965 in what is now Taebaek, Gangwon Province. Jesus Abbey is known for its motto "Labor is prayer, and prayer is labor" and for a communal life that joins prayer and work.

Assessment

The Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church venerate him as a saint. The Anglican Communion and some Lutheran churches also observe a commemoration in his honor.

Reformers during the Reformation criticized monastic vows as such, on the grounds that vows came to be regarded as meritorious before God and that they devalued the everyday callings of life in the world. Around 1521 Martin Luther wrote On Monastic Vows, challenging the binding force of lifelong vows.

Within contemporary Protestantism, opinion is divided. One current reappraises the moderation, communal life, and daily rhythm exemplified by the Rule as resources for the life of faith. Other voices caution that such contemplative disciplines can drift into mysticism. This debate is treated in the article on contemplative prayer.