Happy Feast Day of St. Benedict of Nursia!
On July 11, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of Saint Benedict of Nursia, the sixth-century abbot who gave Christian monasticism its lasting foundation in Western Europe. For his historic role as the “Father of Western Monasticism,” St. Benedict was declared a co-patron of Europe (along with Saints Cyril and Methodius). St. Benedict is also the patron saint of Pope Benedict XVI's pontificate.
In a 2005 general audience, Pope Benedict XVI said St. Benedict was a “powerful reminder of the indispensable Christian roots” of Europe. He cited the monk's instruction to “prefer nothing to the love of Christ,” and asked his intercession “to help us keep Christ firmly at the heart of our lives.”
The Benedictine motto "Ora et Labora," which means pray and work, became the norm for all Western Monasticism and is still practiced today by Benedictines the world over. The Benedictine Order has given the Church over 57,000 known saints and 35 popes, of whom 17 are Saints or Blesseds.
“Ora et Labora,” has also come to be understood as a direction of offering up the hardships of labor so that the offering is a prayer. Work can thus become a prayer in and of itself. Prayer and work are constantly linked, pulling on one another. Together these acts mold us into better people. They strengthen body and soul and draw us closer to God.
Image: Patriarch of Western Monks | Saint Benedict | photo by Lawrence, OP
Who is St. Benedict of Nursia?
The Medal of St. Benedict Explained
The St Benedict medal is a widely recognized Catholic sacramental, yet few know it's history or the meaning of it's inscriptions. This short video sheds a little light on the popular medal's history and benefits.
Support our local Benedictine monks of St. Gregory's Abbey in Shawnee!
St. Benedict writes: “when they live by the labor of their hands…
then they are truly monks.”
The monks of St. Gregory’s Abbey value the importance of all forms of labor in their lives, and have striven to support themselves financially to the fullest degree possible.
The monks of St. Gregory’s Abbey value the importance of all forms of labor in their lives, and have striven to support themselves financially to the fullest degree possible.
July Day of Reflection: Hearken Continually, A Primer on Discernment of God's Will
July 23, 2022 -- Presented by Dr. Alex Schimpf
This day of reflection will offer an introduction to the practice of discerning God’s will, a regular part of Christian discipleship. Special attention will be paid to the virtue of holy indifference, to key spiritual practices that aid in discernment, and to various ways of testing whether a proposed course of action conforms to the will of God.
August Day of Reflection: Blessed are the Meek and the Courageous Christian
August 6, 2022 – Presented by Br. Peter Shults, OSB
Christ’s third Beatitude in Matthew 5:5 tells us, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Yet, this Beatitude can often seem puzzling. Does meek really mean weak? If not, what does it really mean?
August 6, 2022 – Presented by Br. Peter Shults, OSB
Christ’s third Beatitude in Matthew 5:5 tells us, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Yet, this Beatitude can often seem puzzling. Does meek really mean weak? If not, what does it really mean?
In a culture where shouting and polemic have become normal, what does Christian strength and courage really look like and how do we stand firm in what Christ taught us while still communicating His love and mercy? Explore the quiet courage required to live Christ’s third Beatitude in fidelity and learn examples in our own times of how meekness, lived with immense strength and Christian love, changes the world.
In this age, when people are so busy that they do not have enough time to listen to the voice of God, your monasteries and convents become like oases, where men and women of all ages, backgrounds, cultures, and religions can discover the beauty of silence and rediscover themselves, in harmony with creation, allowing God to restore proper order in their lives.
Enjoy meditative Gregorian chant music by the Benedictine Monks of Santo Domingo de Silos
St. Benedict, pray for us!
St. Eugene Catholic Church
2400 W Hefner Rd
The Village, OK 73120