From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Benedictine (adj.) refers to the spirituality and consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in the sixth century for the autonomous communities of monks founded by him in central Italy.

Munich's city symbol celebrates its founding by Benedictine monks – the origin of its name

Used as a noun, the term denotes their members, the Benedictines. By extension it is sometimes applied to other adherents of the Benedictine spirituality, e.g. "Oblates (secular)".

During the subsequent centuries many more Benedictine communities were founded, not only for monks but also for nuns, first throughout Europe and eventually also overseas, which led to the formation, in modern times, of the so-called Order of St Benedict. In addition to those autonomous Benedictine communities, a number of independent monastic orders were founded on the rule of St Benedict and therefore are also considered Benedictines. Such orders include the Congregation of Cluny, the Cistercians, and the Trappists. Benedictine communities are primarily found in the Catholic Church but several Benedictine communities are found among separated ecclesial communities.

In the English Reformation all monasteries were dissolved and their lands confiscated by the Crown, forcing their Roman Catholic members to flee into exile on the Continent, although during the 19th century they were able to return to England. Since the Oxford Movement there has been a flourishing of Benedictine monasticism in the Anglican Church and other Christian Churches. Some Anglican Benedictine Abbots are welcomed guests of the Roman Catholic Benedictine Abbot Primate at Abbatial gatherings.

Other uses of the term "Benedictine":

• an abbey of the Order may be referred to as "Benedictine",
• a student of a Benedictine school may be considered as "Benedictine" as in the case of Benedictine College, Saint Anselm College, San Beda College and Bede College,
• a follower of another Benedict, especially a Saint Benedict or a Pope Benedict,
• the papacy of a particular Pope Benedict might be called the "Benedictine era".

For the articles on the Benedictine way of religious living, see:

• Benedictine Confederation
• Oblates of Saint Benedict
• Order of Saint Benedict
• Order of Saint Benedict (Orthodox)
• Order of St. Benedict (Anglican)
• Rule of St Benedict

Wikimedia Commons has image media such as pictures and art related to:

Benedictine Monasteries

Benedictines

• The Order of Saint Benedict - Website mastered by a monk of St John's Abbey Collegeville
• St Benedict's Blessing; A Website on Benedictinism