St. Benedict was born at Nursia in Umbria about the year 480. Educated at Rome, he began the eremitic life at Subiaco where he gathered disciples, and then departed for Monte Cassino. There he established the famous monastery and composed the Benedictine Rule. The Benedictine Rule has been copied and has spread because of its moderation. It prescribed a life of liturgical prayer, study, manual labor, and living together as a community.

Because this rule was subsequently adopted throughout Europe, he received the title of Patriarch of Western Monasticism. He died on March 21, 547, but the July 11 has been observed as his feast day since the eighth century. The feast day of Benedict's sister, St. Scholastica is February 11. He is one of the patrons of Europe and is the patron of poison suffers.