33 Benedict of Nursia

late 20th century, Artist: Nancy W. Oliphant, Size: 26” x 11”

This icon written by Nancy Oliphant depicts St. Benedict of Nursia the Patron Saint of allEurope. Around the year 500 St Benedict became frustrated with his studies and decided to flee Rome to become a hermit. He moved to a cave near Subiaco and began a life of prayer. He soon gained the attention of the monks in a nearby monastery and after the death of their Abbot, they asked Benedict to become their new Abbot. He is known for his many miracles as well as his Rule of Order for monastics which is still used by the Benedictine order today. He founded twelve monasteries one of which is the great Benedictine monastery at Monte Cassino.

Benedict is depicted in the habit of an early Benedictine and carries the shepherds crook or crosier to show that he was an Abbot of a monastery. To the left we see depicted the cave Benedict lived in near Subiaco, while on the right is the monastery of Monte Cassino. In front of the monastery we see another saint represented, this is St Benedict’s sister St. Scholastica who also chose the religious life. St. Scholastica remained close to her brother throughout his life and lived at the foot of Monte Cassino.