From Encyclopaedia Brittanica….Italian monkWRITTEN BYMichael David KnowlesRegius Professor of Modern History, University of Cambridge, 1954–63. Author of The Benedictines: A Digest for Moderns; Thomas Becket; and others.See Article HistoryAlternative Titles: Saint Benedict of Norcia, Saint Benedict of Nursia

St. Benedict, in full Saint Benedict of Nursia, Nursia also spelled Norcia, (born c. 480 CE, Nursia [Italy]—died c. 547, Monte Cassino; feast day July 11, formerly March 21), founder of the Benedictine monastery at Monte Cassinoand father of Western monasticism; the rule that he established became the norm for monastic living throughout Europe. In 1964, in view of the work of monks following the Benedictine Rule in the evangelization and civilization of so many European countries in the Middle Ages, Pope Paul VI proclaimed him the patron saint of all Europe.