A blessed feast of Saint Benedict to all our readers! Although the whole monastic tradition predates him by several centuries, going back to such early figures as Pachomius and Anthony, Benedict did write the most famous rule for monks, in which he mitigated the severe penances of the Irish monks (always given to extremes). His rule shines forth with a balance and harmony, signifying a deep knowledge of human nature, and the capacity to lead men gradually to perfection. You can find the whole treatise here, and it is well worth a read, even a glance, even a brief perusal to
