Novena of Prayer to Saint Benedict, Day 1

Today begins nine days of prayer to Saint Benedict, ending at First Vespers of Saint Benedict's Transitus (March 20). On March 21, many Benedictine monasteries around the world will observe the death of Benedict (+547) with solemnity, if you follow another liturgical calendar other than the Roman one, while other monasteries will celebrate July 11 as a feast, the translation of Benedict's bones.The order of prayerThere was a man of venerable Life, Benedict, blessed by God both in grace and in name. (antiphon)Pray Psalm 1The prayer of petition to Saint Benedict may be found here, and then pray the following prayer.Let us pray.Almighty and eternal God, may the example of blessed Benedict urge us to strive for holiness of life and, by celebrating his memory, may we be inspired to follow him in the spirit of his Rule. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.