Today is the Feast of St. Benedict, the preserver of Western Culture as he introduced and established Western Monasticism during the collapse of the Roman Empire. His series of Monasteries provided safe haven for travelers, centers of learning which would eventually morph into the modern university system (ever wonder why you wear such goofy clothing upon graduation?), as well as forming centers of prayer that sanctified Europe and allowed a very tactile sense that God was present to His people during a very dark period of history; at least for most of our ancestors.
At another point in history where it looks as if Christendom is threatened from outsiders, Europe's population is on a downward spiral and the educational system has failed (to call a spade a spade); in steps Pope Benedict XVI. May he acheive even a small modicum of success that St. Benedict acheived!
Viva il Papa! (and safe travels to Australia, too!)
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Interesting to note how monasticism saved Europe...and how, when, thanks to Luther, civilization began to crumble when monasticism was outlawed and the lands taken by the civilian authorities. The very social problems we see today, now handled by the government, were nearly completely kept in check and even nearly resolved by Benedictines. One has to wonder what our present candidates would have to argue about today if monasticism had never been so undermined and nearly eliminated by the deconstructionists history just loves to call "The Reformation".
Vivi il Papa Benedetto XVI! :-)
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