Main Stream: Benedictines

The charism of the Benedictines flows from the Rule of Saint Benedict, written in the 6th century by St. Benedict of Nursia, which places monastic life at the heart of their vocation. Benedictines live a balanced life of prayer (especially the Liturgy of the Hours), work, community, and obedience, guided by the principle of ora et labora (“prayer and work”). Their charism emphasizes stability — remaining in one community — conversion of life (conversatio morum), and listening to God and one another, striving to seek God in everyday life.

The Order of Saint Benedict begins with Saint Benedict of Nursia around 529 A.D. at Subiaco, Italy, where he founded the first monastery and later established the Abbey of Montecassino. His Rule became the foundation for Western monasticism and was widely adopted across Europe, especially under the support of Charlemagne. Over the centuries, Benedictine monasteries became centers of prayer, learning, manuscript preservation, education, agriculture, and missionary outreach, spreading to every continent. While each monastery remains autonomous, they share a common heritage rooted in St. Benedict’s vision of monastic life.

Because Benedictines are organized by autonomous monasteries, vocations are handled locally. Below are sample contacts: Saint John’s Abbey (USA) Email: Vocations@csbsju.edu Phone: +1 320 363 3023 Mvimwa Abbey, Tanzania (Ottilien Benedictines) Email: abt.pambo@gmail.com Location: Sumbawanga, Tanzania