‘Life of St. Benedict’ by Aurelius McMahon – 1880 – Chapter III – pages 33-39
“Of a glass that St. Benedict broke by making over it the sign of the CROSS.THE man of God, being freed from temptations, made new progress in virtue, and his soul became still more fruitful in good works, just as we see a field yielding more abundant fruit after it has been cleared of the thorns and put under cultivation. His life appeared so holy and edifying that every one eulogized it, and his name became famous throughout the whole country. Not far from his retreat there was a monastery whose Abbot had lately died. The whole community immediately repaired to the venerable Benedict and earnestly besought him to be their superior. For a long time he refused, alleging as an excuse that his manner of living was too different from theirs to suit each other; but at length, overcome by their importunity, he acceded to their wishes. Thus having undertaken to govern the community, he applied himself to cause the laws of monastic life to be observed; he was careful that the Religious should walk in the strait path of their profession, giving them to understand, if any should deviate therefrom either to the right or to the left, or act in any way contrary to duty, he would not tolerate the disorder. This mode of governing did not at all please those monks. Insensate as they were, and enemies to their own best interest, they began to reproach themselves for having chosen as their superior' a man whose energy and integrity would not bend to their licentious manners and cowardly relaxation. Seeing that under such an Abbot irregularity of conduct was not permitted, they grieved at being compelled to change their evil habits. It was hard for them and quite unsuitable to be obliged to practice a new observance after their minds had, as it were, grown old in remissness; and, in a word, because the life of the good is always incommoding to the wicked, some of those disorderly monks plotted among themselves how to get rid of the saint. Poison was the means they adopted. They mixed it with wine and presented a glass of it to the Abbot at the table that he might bless it, as was the custom of the monastery.
The venerable Benedict extended his hand, made the sign of the cross, and, by means of this holy sign, broke the glass which was held up at some distance from him, so that the glass containing the poison was as quickly broken, as if, instead of blessing it with the sign of the cross, he had flung a stone and broken it. Beholding this wonder, the man of God knew at once that the glass contained a deadly potion, since it was unable to bear the sign of life. He arose from the table, and calling the brethren around him, said with a cheerful look and perfect self-possession: ''May Almighty God pardon you this, my brethren; why have you resolved to treat me thus? Was I not right in saying your ways were not compatible with mine? Go seek an Abbot who will conform to your dispositions, for I shall be your superior no longer." The saint then returned to his beloved solitude, and dwelt alone with himself in the presence of Him who seeth all things from on high.”
Image: Bernardino_di_Betto_Pinturicchio_- ‘Madonna_with_Gregory_Great_and_Saint_Benedict’
Music: ‘Spiritus Domini’ - Introito (Modo VIII) · Coro De Monjes Del Monasterio De Silos
‘Spiritus Domini’= ‘The Spirit of the Lord’
>>> youtube.com/watch?v=wdwumrquMGA