‘Pray and Work’: Glorious Montecassino Painting Brings St. Benedict Alive
“He should first show them in deeds rather than words all that is good and holy.” —St. Benedict
Today is the feast of St. Benedict of Nursia in the pre-Pope Paul VI Catholic calendar. Benedict’s rule for monks became absolutely foundational to monasticism for more than a thousand years, not least because it was designed to be less demanding than many previous guidelines. Benedict thus made monasticism possible for individuals who might not be capable of the admirable but extremely difficult mortifications of, for instance, the desert hermits.
With the help of his sister St. Scholastica, Benedict founded Western monasticism, the monasticism that ultimately preserved and handed down ancient and medieval culture, both pagan and Christian, for future generations. Benedict’s rule and road to Heaven can be summed up in three simple words: “Ora et labora (pray and work).”
From CatholicSaints.info:
“[St. Benedict was born c. 480 AD] to the Roman nobility. Twin brother of Saint Scholastica. Studied in Rome, Italy, but was dismayed by the lack of discipline and the lackadasical attitude of his fellow students. Fled to the mountains near Subiaco, Italy, living as a hermit in a cave for three years; reported to have been fed by a raven. Friend of Saint Romanus of Subiaco who lived as a nearby hermit; spiritual teacher of Saint Placid. Benedict’s virtues caused an abbey to request him to lead them. Founded the monastery at Monte Cassino, where he wrote the Rule of his order. His discipline was such that an attempt was made on his life; some monks tried [to] poison him, but he blessed the cup and rendered it harmless. He returned to his cave, but continued to attract followers, and eventually established twelve monasteries. Had the ability to read consciences, the gift of prophesy, and could forestall attacks of the devil. Destroyed pagan statues and altars, drove demons from groves sacred to pagans. At one point there were over 40,000 monasteries guided by the Benedictine Rule. A summation of the Rule: ‘Pray and work.’”
In 2020, just before COVID-19 lockdowns shut down the world, I had the great privilege of visiting St. Benedict’s Monte Cassino (or Montecassino), which has been restored since the WWII bombing and is still a home for monks. Benedict and Scholastica are buried under the high altar of the restored 18th-century cathedral there. But one part of the cathedral I particularly remember is a magnificent painting of St. Benedict surrounded by saints and important historic figures who belonged to his order.
When I saw the painting (see above), light was coming through the window above it in such a way that it particularly illumined the gilded decor above the painting and the gold angels flanking the painted image of Benedict, so as to act like stage lights directing the eyes to Benedict. Meanwhile, the rest of the painting remained in shadow. The saint truly seemed to come alive and glow with the heavenly radiance his sanctity earned him.
St. Benedict, of course, is in the middle of the painting, and the black-robed figure with the back to the viewer, holding a dove, beside him is almost certainly his sister Scholastica (Benedict saw a dove flying off into the sky as a sign when his sister died). I am not expert enough to identify other specific figures in the painting, but we can guess that some of them are famous Benedictines like Sts. Peter Damian, Meinrad, Romuald, Frances of Rome, Venerable Bede, Hildegard von Bingen, Pope Gregory VII, Stephen Harding, Augustine and Anselm of Canterbury, Emperor Henry II, and Gertrude the Great. No fewer than 13 popes have been Benedictines.
Notice that the artist specifically painted the image so that the “lighting” automatically makes Benedict the focal point. And the farther away from St. Benedict, the more shadowy the painting becomes. St. Paul says in the Bible (Gal. 2:20), “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” That would be an excellent Bible verse to apply to the painting above.
Catholics honor the saints to the degree that the saints conform themselves to Christ, and St. Benedict was one of the most saintly men in history, a man who inspired thousands—probably millions—of others to live a life of virtue dedicated to Jesus. By dressing St. Benedict in gold and flanking him with golden angels in a sort of luminous cloud, the artist seems to be illustrating that inspiration through the symbol of light. Just as Benedict’s light illumines those around him in the painting, so Benedict’s holiness inspired other men and women to heed Jesus’s call (Luke 18:22), “Sell all whatever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.”