Saint Benedict

Who was St. Benedict?

Benedict of Nursia OSB, often known as Saint Benedict, was an Italian Christian monk, writer, and theologian who is venerated in the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Oriental Orthodox Churches, the Anglican Communion, and Old Catholic Churches. He is a patron saint of Europe.

Why do we pray to St. Benedict?

St Benedict's prayer enables the monks to lift the stone on which the devil is sitting. That's the power of prayer for you. As Christianity spreads during the Dark Ages, St. Benedict gains a reputation for performing great miracles and also levying strict discipline.

What was the motto of Saint Benedict?

St Benedict's motto was Ora et Labora (prayer and work). Laborare Est Orare (to work is to pray), detail of a nineteenth-century painting by John Rogers Herbert, showing Benedictine monks at work.

What is St. Benedict's prayer?

O Lord, I place myself in your hands and dedicate myself to you. I pledge myself to do your will in all things: To love the Lord God with all my heart, all my soul, all my strength. Not to kill.

Prayer to Saint Benedict for a happy death

This prayer to Saint Benedict for a happy death should be prayed daily, as the prayer itself states. Placing ourselves under the protection of St Benedict is yet another spiritual armor a devout Catholic can put on for protection against spiritual attacks. It is at the hour of death when Satan and his angels most especially attack devout souls as it is Hell's last chance to steal these souls away from God. Saint Benedict, being the patron saint of exorcisms, is a powerful defender against the Devil.

Prayer to Saint Benedict for a Happy Death

V. Intercede for us, O holy Father Benedict.

R. And obtain for us the grace of a happy death.

O holy Father Benedict, whose very name signifies your blessedness, you most joyfully offered your angelic soul to God while you stood in prayer with your arms raised to heaven.

You have promised to defend us from the Devil’s attacks at the hour of death if we daily recall to you your own glorious death and heavenly joys.

Protect me, therefore, O glorious Father, today and every day by your holy blessing, so that I may never be separated from our blessed Jesus, nor from the company of you and all the saints. Amen.

O God, who adorned the precious death of our most holy Father, Saint Benedict, with so many and so great privileges, grant, we beseech You, that our departure hence, we may be defended from the snares of the enemy by the blessed presence of him whose memory we celebrate. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.