Welcome to our daily rosary meditation. Let's begin in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Amen. Let's call to mind all those we've promised to pray for. Today is the feast of St Benedict.

As a young man, Benedict moved to Rome around the year 500 to further his education.

There he observed that people were fearful, angry, lacking purpose and unhappy.

So seeking a more meaningful life, he left Rome for Subyako, dedicating himself to work and prayer. And there monks from a nearby

monastery, having lost their Abbot, invited Benedict to lead them due to his holy life and wisdom.

Although initially reluctant, Benedict agreed, aware that his disciplined lifestyle might not be so well received by the distracted monks.

And as Abbott, Benedict instituted a balanced and ordered way of life which the monks resisted.

They resented the demands of a disciplined life and actually plotted to kill him.

When they offered him a poisoned chalice of wine,

Benedict made the sign of the cross over the chalice,

and it shattered right before their eyes and

spilled the poison wine harmlessly on the ground. Recognizing their failure to kill him, the monks felt fear and

guilt and Benedict perceiving their continued intentions, their evil intentions, he left the monastery, but without holding a grudge and he returned

to Subiako.

And many attracted by his peaceful and balanced way of life

sought his guidance and he established 12 little communities there

offering them this simple way to achieve happiness

through a well-ordered and balanced way of life.

Like them, do you seek a simpler, happier life?

Our Father who art in heaven, hallow would be your name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us to stay our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us

and lead us not into temptation,

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