E04450: Gregory the Great, in his Dialogues (2) composes a Life of *Benedict (monk of Nursia, ob. 547, S01727) which presents him as an ideal monk and miracle-worker in central Italy. Written in Latin in Rome, c. 593.
Creators: name: Frances
name: Dlambert
Publisher: name: University of Oxford
Year: 2017
Subjects: History

description: Gregory the Great, Dialogues 2<br><br>General description and overall summary:<br><br>Prologue: Benedict was born in Nursia to distinguished parents and was sent to Rome for a liberal education. Through this, he longed to leave the world (Prologue). <br><br>The account of Benedict’s life which follows can be split into four phases. Firstly, his ascetic life after his conversion which he spent initially in a lodging near a church of Peter the Apostle in Affile, near Rome, and later in a cave at Subiaco, near Rome (chs. 1–2; see $E04454). During this phase of his life, Benedict’s reputation spread and individuals travelled to show their devotion (see $E04454). Secondly, his time in various monastic communities including his own foundations (chs. 3–8). Thirdly, his time at his own foundation of Monte Cassino (chs. 8–37). Finally, the Life considers his death and one posthumous miracle (chs. 37-38). <br><br>Gregory outlines Benedict’s ascetic virtues in chs. 2–3. In ch. 36, he praises Benedict’s wisdom and refers to the rule for monks which he wrote (the Rule of St Benedict). Benedict’s foundations are also praised in the Life: Gregory describes (ch. 8) how Benedict founded the monastery of Monte Cassino along with chapels dedicated to *John (the Baptist, S00020) and *Martin (ascetic and bishop of Tours, ob. 397, S00050). His body was ultimately laid to rest in the chapel of St John (ch. 37; see $E04456). He also founds several other monasteries in this region of Italy, including in Terracina (chs. 3, 22). <br><br>Yet it is Benedict’s miracles which are the subject of the majority of the Life. Many of these miracles are likened to the acts of biblical figures (see $E04457). Most of the miracles concern monks under his care, but some are described in relation to local peasants (ch. 32), lay-people (chs. 27, 31), other clergy (ch. 16), bishops (ch. 15) or kings (ch. 14). <br><br>Benedict's miracles fall into several different groups. <br><br>He is aware of hidden knowledge. He shows knowledge of threats to his life from jealous churchmen (chs. 3, 8). On one of these occasions, a raven removes the loaf a priest attempted to use to poison him (ch. 8). Additionally, he shows knowledge of the hidden sins of others (chs. 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20) and foretells future events (chs. 15, 17, 37). <br><br>Benedict also directly challenges the Devil through his miracles. Gregory describes how Benedict makes the Devil’s illusions apparent to sinning monks (chs. 4, 10, 25) and drives out evil spirits (chs. 9, 16 on which see $E04458, 30).<br><br>On several occasions, Benedict provides material support for his followers: he provides food for the monastery (chs. 21, 27–28); money for an indebted layman (ch. 27); and saves the blade of a brush hook from being lost in a lake (ch. 6). Additionally, he provides bodily aid to the faithful. He saves a monk from drowning in the same lake the brush hook was lost in (ch. 7); he cures the sick (chs. 26, 27); he returns the deceased to life (chs. 11, 32); and he frees a prisoner (ch. 31). <br><br>Benedict also appears in a dream to monks who are building a monastery under his direction (ch. 22). He sees the souls of holy individuals, including his sister *Scholastica (nun, ob. 543, S01728), ascend to heaven (chs. 34, 35). And he intervenes to ensure that the bodies of those who died in sin remained buried (chs. 23, 24). <br><br>One posthumous miracle is described. A woman, who had lost her mind, was cured after spending a night in the cave at Subiaco, near Rome (ch. 38).<br><br>Gregory includes an account of a miracle effected by Benedict’s sister, the nun Scholastica (see $E04455).<br><br>Summary: Frances Trzeciak.