After growing up in a noble family of Nursia, St. Benedict was sent to Rome at age 15 to receive a higher education. But, the life he discovered there was disappointing to him: other young people of his age did not seem to share Benedict’s aspiration to lead a life of holiness, and he feared he would give in to the vices of his time if he stayed in the city. St. Benedict then retired in the desert to get closer to God. Later, he would write the Rule, a text that dictates the main principles of the religious life for Benedictine monks and nuns. In the Rule, St. Benedict exhorts us to “First of all, love the Lord God with your whole heart, your whole soul and all your strength, and love your neighbor as yourself”, following the great and first commandment of Jesus.
St. Benedict’s dedication to the Lord was intense and powerful, and it brought light to others, who became inspired to follow his path. Naturally, Christians around the world love to pray to St. Benedict, so he may help them love God as he did, with all their soul.
“Father, in Your goodness,
grant me the intellect to comprehend You,
the perception to discern You,
and the reason to appreciate You.
In Your kindness endow me with the diligence to look for You,
the wisdom to discover You,
and the spirit to apprehend You.
In Your graciousness bestow on me a heart to contemplate You,
ears to hear You,
eyes to see You,
and a tongue to speak of You.
In Your mercy confer on me a conversation pleasing to You,
the patience to wait for You,
and the perseverance to long for You.
Grant me a perfect end, Your holy presence.
I ask this in the name of Your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.”
“Glorious St. Benedict who taught us the way to religious perfection by the practice of self-conquest, mortification, humility, obedience, prayer, silence, retirement and detachment from the world, I kneel at your feet and humbly beg you to take my present need under your special protection (name your petition).
Vouchsafe to recommend it to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and lay it before the throne of Jesus. Cease not to intercede for me until my request is granted.
Above all, obtain for me the grace to one day meet God face to face, and with you and Mary and all the angels and saints to praise Him through all eternity. O most powerful Saint Benedict, do not let me lose my soul, but obtain for me the grace of winning my way to heaven, there to worship and enjoy the most holy and adorable Trinity forever and ever.
Amen.”
Discover the many prayer communities on Hozana designed to help you grow in faith every day. Join many novenas and pray to the saints of Hozana: pray a novena to St. Michael Archangel for protection, turn to the assistance of St. Jude, patron saint of the Impossible, pray to Padre Pio, and more!