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Saint Benedict, blessed by grace in name, was born of a noble Italian
family about 480. When a boy he was sent to Rome, and there placed in the public schools. Scared by the licentiousness
of the Roman youth, he fled to the desert mountains of Subiaco, and was directed by the Holy Spirit into a cave, deep, craggy
and almost inaccessible. He lived there for three years, unknown to any one save the holy monk Romanus, who clothed
him with the monastic habit and brought him food. But the fame of his sancity soon gathered disciples round him.
The rigor of his rule, however, drew on him the hatred of some of the monks, and one of them mixed poison with the abbot's
drink; but when the Saint made the sign of the cross on the poisoned bowl, it broke and fell in pieces on the ground.
After he had built twelve monasteries at Subiaco, he removed to Monte Cassiono, where he founded an abbey in which he wrote
his rule and lived until death. By prayer he did all things: wrought miracles, saw visions, and prophesied. A
peasant, whose boy had just died, ran in anguish to St. Benedict, crying out, "Give me back my son!" The monks joined
the poor man in his entreaties; but the Saint replied, "Such miracles are not for us to work, but for the blessed apostles.
Why will you lay upon me a burden which my weakness cannot bear?" Moved at length by compassion he knelt down
and prostrating himself upon the body of the child, prayed earnestly. Then rising, he cried out, "Behold not, O Lord,
my sins, but the faith of this man, who desireth the life of his son, and restore to the body that soul which Thou
hast taken away." Hardly had he spoken when the child's body began to tremble, and taking it by the hand he
restored it alive to its father. Six days before his death he ordered his grave to be opened, and fell ill of a fever.
On the sixth day he requested to be borne into the chapel, and, having received the body and blood of Christ, with hands uplifted,
and leaning on one of his disciples, he calmly expired in prayer on the 21st of March, 543.
Reflection: The Saints never feared to undertake
any work, however arduous, for God, because, distrusting self, they relied for assistance and support wholly upon prayer.
Taken from Lives of the Saints by Rev. Alban Butler, copyright, 1894 Benzinger Bros.
MASS SCHEDULE
Weekend Mass:
Saturday, 5PM followed by Miraculous
Medal Novena
Sunday, 8AM & 11AM
Confessions:
Weekday before 12:15, Saturday 4:00 to 4:30 or by appointment
Weekday Mass:
Monday-Friday at 12:15 preceded by Rosary at 11:45
NO MASS ON THURSDAY
Weekly bulletin request must be in the parish office addressed to Elsie Yurchak by 12:00PM on Wednesday, TEN days
in advance of the weekend of publication.
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