Benedictine facts for kids

Benedict of Nursia, shown on an icon by Fra Angelico

The word Benedictine usually refers to a follower of the Order of Saint Benedict. These people usually lead a life in an abbey. They follow the rule of Benedict of Nursia. Benedict lived in the 6th century. He made some rules, called the Rule of St Benedict these people follow. The rules can be summed up by pax (peace) and ora et labora (pray and work).

Most Benedictines see themselves as part of the Catholic Church. Some can also be found in the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Anglican Church. Officially, the order is known as Ordo Sancti Benedicti (OSB).

Images for kids

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  Benedict of Aniane (747–821).

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  The two sides of a Saint Benedict Medal

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  Benedictine monks singing Vespers on Holy Saturday in Morristown, New Jersey, U.S.

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  Saint Boniface (c. 680 – 750), Pope Gregory I (c. 540 – 604, pope 590–604), Adalbert of Egmond (8th century) and priest Jeroen van Noordwijk, depicted in a 1529 painting by Jan Joostsz van Hillegom currently on display at the Frans Hals Museum

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  Late Gothic sculpture of Rupert of Salzburg (c. 660 – 710)

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  Bernard of Clairvaux (1090–1153) featured in a 13th-century illuminated manuscript

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  A Carolingian manuscript, c. 840, depicting Rabanus Maurus (left), supported by Alcuin (middle), presenting his work to Otgar of Mainz

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  Self portrait of Matthew Paris (c. 1200 – 59)

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  Abbot Suger (c. 1081 – 1135) in a medieval stained-glass window

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  Dom Pérignon

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  Cardinal Schuster.

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  Abbot of Montserrat

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  Bonifatius Becker

See also

In Spanish: Orden de San Benito para niños