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The Life of St. Benedict, Father of Monks
In this short book, Forbes beautifully recounts the life and accomplishments of the famous St. Benedict, the father of western monasticism.
Forbes recounts St. Benedict upbringing and early life in Rome where he became disillusioned with their pursuit of pleasure and comfort. Taking up the life of a solitary in a cave in the mountains of Italy he grew in holiness through prayer and fasting. Monks in the area implored him to help manage their communities. St. Benedict took up the charge founding twelve monasteries at Subiaco, Lazio, Italy, close to Rome. Then later as well in Monte Cassino in the mountains of southern Italy.
St. Benedict also gave rules and instructions to the communities by means of his famous "Rule." The rule proved to be remarkably successfully and has been the guiding principle for western monks ever since.
This ebook version of the classic novel also contains the original illustrations.
Forbes recounts St. Benedict upbringing and early life in Rome where he became disillusioned with their pursuit of pleasure and comfort. Taking up the life of a solitary in a cave in the mountains of Italy he grew in holiness through prayer and fasting. Monks in the area implored him to help manage their communities. St. Benedict took up the charge founding twelve monasteries at Subiaco, Lazio, Italy, close to Rome. Then later as well in Monte Cassino in the mountains of southern Italy.
St. Benedict also gave rules and instructions to the communities by means of his famous "Rule." The rule proved to be remarkably successfully and has been the guiding principle for western monks ever since.
This ebook version of the classic novel also contains the original illustrations.
79 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1921
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About the author
F.A. Forbes
75 books22 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