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Saint Benedict
Saint Benedict of Nursia (c. 480 – 543 or 547) is honoured by the Catholic Church as the patron saint of Europe and students. Benedict founded twelve communities for monks at Subiaco, Italy (about 40 miles (64 km) to the east of Rome), before moving to Monte Cassino in the mountains of southern Italy. One of his most well known achievement is his "Rule of Saint Benedict", containing precepts for his monks. He is often called the founder of western monasticism. (Summary adapted from Wikipedia)
Excerpt from Saint Benedict:
The great Roman Empire was in its death-throes. Two thousand years had gone to its building; country after country and people after people had bowed before its power and acknowledged its sway. "Eternal Rome" had become the watchword of its citizens, for it seemed to them as if the ancient civilization must endure for ever. Had pagan Rome not proved a thousand times that her strength was invincible, her might unconquerable? How should it ever be otherwise? The answer was to come from within. She had been unfaithful to the old ideals that had made her strong.
Excerpt from Saint Benedict:
The great Roman Empire was in its death-throes. Two thousand years had gone to its building; country after country and people after people had bowed before its power and acknowledged its sway. "Eternal Rome" had become the watchword of its citizens, for it seemed to them as if the ancient civilization must endure for ever. Had pagan Rome not proved a thousand times that her strength was invincible, her might unconquerable? How should it ever be otherwise? The answer was to come from within. She had been unfaithful to the old ideals that had made her strong.
136 pages, Audiobook
First published January 1, 1921
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About the author
F.A. Forbes
75 books20 followersF. A. Forbes (16 March 1869 – 1936) was the nom de plume of Mother Frances Alice Monica Forbes, RSCJ, a member of the Society of the Sacred Heart from Scotland and a religious author.
She was born in 1869 as Alice Forbes into a Presbyterian family. Her mother died when she was a child. In 1900 she became a Roman Catholic. Only a few months later, she entered the Society of the Sacred Heart, as a 31-year-old postulant.
She wrote numerous books, including brief biographies of Saint Ignatius Loyola, Saint John Bosco, Saint Teresa of Ávila, Saint Columba, Saint Monica, Saint Athanasius, Saint Catherine of Siena, Saint Benedict, Saint Hugh of Lincoln, Saint Vincent de Paul, and, most famously, Pope Saint Pius X. She died in 1936.
She was born in 1869 as Alice Forbes into a Presbyterian family. Her mother died when she was a child. In 1900 she became a Roman Catholic. Only a few months later, she entered the Society of the Sacred Heart, as a 31-year-old postulant.
She wrote numerous books, including brief biographies of Saint Ignatius Loyola, Saint John Bosco, Saint Teresa of Ávila, Saint Columba, Saint Monica, Saint Athanasius, Saint Catherine of Siena, Saint Benedict, Saint Hugh of Lincoln, Saint Vincent de Paul, and, most famously, Pope Saint Pius X. She died in 1936.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 12, 2025
This book retells the same stories found in the one by Pope Gregory I, expanding its historical context, but stripping all its theological explanations.
November 8, 2016
Interesante Biografía de Benito de Nursia
Lectura recomendada para las personas que quieren saber mas sobre este Santo. Su trabajo durante su vida moldeó la civilización europea en la edad media.
Lectura recomendada para las personas que quieren saber mas sobre este Santo. Su trabajo durante su vida moldeó la civilización europea en la edad media.
November 20, 2016
I found this on YouTube as a Libravox recording.
Once again, Forbes has a way of bringing the life of a Saint to life in her narrative of Benedict's life.
Once again, Forbes has a way of bringing the life of a Saint to life in her narrative of Benedict's life.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews