Saint Benedict of Nursia

I was born to a noble family in Nursia, Italy. When I grew up, I studied in Rome. Later, I lived for three years in a cave, praying alone. People came to me for advice. In 529, I formed a community of monks near Naples and I wrote a rule of life for them. My rule is still famous today. It contains 73 short chapters on spiritual and administrative elements of monastic life. We pray together eight times a day, in order to praise and honour God. During my whole life, I founded twelve monasteries. I encouraged the monks to serve God first, and help one another and the people who turn to us for help. I died in 547 in Monte Cassino, Italy.