Early life of Saint Benedict...

The fifth century brings us not one, but two future saints. It is AD 480, and a little voice cries out, "Here I am, world!" But no sooner heard, than another tiny cry fills the air. Not one, but two babies will be born to the parents of the future Saint Benedict and his twin sister Saint Scholastica.

Now, Norcia is not easy to get to, as we well know. We often wonder why God chooses the remotest places in the world for apparitions by Mother Mary, by the Archangel Michael, for miracles of the Eucharist, and the birth of great saints.

Could it be because we are too busy to hear or see God working in our midst? I don't know. What do you think?

Born of the nobility, Saint Benedict would have every advantage enabling him to receive the best education and preparation for life. It is believed that when he was no more than in his teens, his parents sent Saint Benedict and his nurse to Rome to pursue a higher education, more than likely majoring in law.

As they had been blessed to be born of the nobility, it was the custom of people of their station to send their sons to acquire an education preparing them for a career as public magistrates or judges, in this way fulfilling their God-given obligations to serve.