Meaning Latin "blessed" (benedictus, from bene + dictus, "well-spoken").
Figure Saint Benedict of Nursia; founder of Western monasticism (c. 480-547).
Feast day July 11 (Catholic, Anglican); March 14 (Orthodox)
Traditions CATHOLICORTHODOXANGLICAN
In the Christian tradition
Saint Benedict of Nursia is the sixth-century founder of Western Christian monasticism, the author of the Rule of Saint Benedict that shaped Catholic monastic life for fifteen hundred years. Pope Paul VI declared him patron of Europe in 1964. The Catholic and Anglican calendars commemorate him on July 11.
Benedict of Nursia (c. 480-547) wrote the Rule of Saint Benedict, the foundational document of Western Christian monastic life. The Rule, with its balance of prayer (ora) and work (labora), shaped the Benedictine tradition and through it the broader Catholic monastic and religious life across fifteen hundred years. The Benedictine motto "ora et labora" is among the most-quoted in Christian devotional literature. The order he founded at Monte Cassino has been a continuous presence in Catholic life since the early sixth century. Pope Paul VI declared Benedict patron saint of Europe in 1964. The Catholic and Anglican calendars commemorate Benedict on July 11. The name has been in continuous Christian use, with particular weight in Catholic monastic and religious families; sixteen popes have taken the name Benedict, most recently Benedict XVI (2005-2013).