July 11, 2026
Saint Benedict, Abbot (Feast)
Gospel: Mt 19:27–29

Today is Saturday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time. The Church celebrates the Feast of Saint Benedict, Abbot.

The Roman Martyrology tells us that Saint Benedict (c. 480 – c. 547) was born in Norcia, Italy. Turning his back on the worldliness he encountered in Rome, he withdrew to live as a hermit in a cave near Subiaco. As his fame spread, disciples came to follow him; he organized them into twelve small monasteries. Later, he moved to Monte Cassino and founded the famous abbey there. Drawing on the wisdom of the Eastern Christian monastic tradition, earlier Western rules (especially the Rule of Saint Benedict), and his own experience, he composed his Rule. In view of his profound influence on the formation of Christian civilization, Pope Paul VI proclaimed him Patron of Europe.

For regions celebrating Saint Benedict, Abbot, with the rank of Feast, the Gospel presents a dialogue between Jesus and Peter. Let us try to reflect.

Sometimes, we regard everything we currently possess as our own property, and may even think: “By following Jesus Christ, I have given up everything and suffered great loss.” We desire immediate returns.

In reality, everything we have does not belong to us, but to God. For He created the heavens and the earth, the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, all livestock, wild animals, and creeping things, and even we ourselves are made in His image. God has given us everything He created to manage (cf. Gn 1:26–30). Therefore, for us, renouncing everything is not a loss, but a means of lightening our soul and simplifying our lives. When our lives become simple, we begin to set our hearts on heavenly things. The houses, brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, children, and lands that coexist with us in this passing world will no longer be obstacles to our path to holiness, but will actually assist us in becoming holy. For if, according to God’s providence and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we follow Him, that merciful and compassionate Holy Spirit will guide each of us according to our intellect and capacity. He enables us to see the world with the eyes of the new age spoken of by Jesus. Then, we will no longer strive to be first; we will willingly take the last place. We will no longer seek to dominate others, but sincerely desire, according to the will of the Holy Spirit, to help those brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, and children who coexist with us, so that they too, like us, may reject the values of this passing world and accept the new age proclaimed by Jesus.

O God, who made the Abbot Saint Benedict an outstanding master in the school of divine service, grant, we pray, that, putting nothing before love of you, we may hasten with a loving heart in the way of your commands. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,God, for ever and ever.

©Totus Tuus 2026
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica