Primer on Benedictine Spirituality – Comprehensive Study Notes

SBCA Vision, Mission, Philosophy, Core Values

Vision: Leading Catholic-Christian education; holistic formation; guided by PRAYER, WORK, PEACE.
Mission: Excellent, responsive programs/services; empowering management; learning, caring, praying community; guided by St. Benedict, St. Bede.
Philosophy of Education: Learners' dignity (God's image); union with Christ; Ora et Labora; Catholic-Christian, Benedictine, Filipino.
Bedan Core Values (BRAVES): Prayer (Ora), Work (Labora), Peace (Pax), Community, Service, Excellence.

Patronage & Devotions

Our Lady of Montserrat ("La Moreneta")

Origin: $11^{th}$ C. Benedictine, Catalonia, Spain; Black Madonna; Patroness Catalonia.
Feasts: Spain ( $April ext{ }27$ ), PH ( $September ext{ }12$ - Benedictine arrival $1895$ ).
Philippine Center: Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat (Mendiola, Manila); Subiaco-Cassinese mother-house PH.
Theological Significance: Mary's pivotal role (Mother of Jesus); exemplary faith, obedience, love, intercession.

St. Benedict of Nursia

Life: Born $c. ext{ }480$ AD Italy; died $c. ext{ }547$ ; Father of Western monasticism.
Biography: Solitude (Subiaco); founded Monte Cassino; authored The Rule of St. Benedict.
The Rule: Balance, prayer, work, community, obedience, humility, seeking God; shaped European religious life.
Maxims: "Prefer nothing…to the love of Christ"; "Listen and attend with the ear of your heart."

St. Bede the Venerable

Life: ( $c. ext{ }672 ext{–}735$ ) Anglo-Saxon monk (Monkwearmouth–Jarrow); monastic school at $7$ ; scholarship, holiness.
Ecclesial Status: Canonized, Doctor of the Church ( $1899$ by Pope Leo XIII); only native English Doctor.
Importance: Advanced early English Christianity; foundations for medieval historiography/scholarship.

The St. Benedict Medal

Inscriptions: Latin. Center: CRUX SANCTI PATRIS BENEDICTI ("Cross of Holy Father Benedict"). Edge: EIUS IN OBITU NOSTRO PRAESENTIA MUNIAMUR ("Strengthened by his presence at death"). Top: PAX ("Peace").
Acrostics (Front Cross):
- C S S M L: "Crux Sacra Sit Mihi Lux" (Holy cross be my light!)
- N D S M D: "Non Draco Sit Mihi Dux" (Dragon never be my leader!)
Acrostics (Reverse Circular):
- V R S N S M V: "Vade Retro Satana, Nunquam Suade Mihi Vana" (Begone, Satan! Never tempt with vanities!)
- S M Q L I V B: "Sunt Mala Quae Libas; Ipse Venena Bibas" (What you offer me is evil; drink poison yourself!)
Usage: Sacramental; protection, peace, temptation resistance, especially at death.

Benedictines in the Philippines

Arrival: Subiaco-Cassinese monks in PH ( $1895$ ); initially missionary/agricultural.
Shift to Education: Under American rule; founded El Colegio de San Beda (Manila, $June ext{ }17, ext{ }1901$ ).
Martyrs: Bl. Eugenio Aramburu, Bl. Domingo Bru, Bl. Santiago Lopez (Montserrat Abbey); martyred Spanish Civil War.
Expansion to Alabang: Mendiola unrest; Benedictine Abbey School (Alabang, $1972$ ); expanded high school ( $1977$ ), tertiary (St. Benedict College, $1995$ ); renamed San Beda College Alabang ( $2004$ ); holistic, faith-based education.

Institutional & Academic Structure

Religious Education Department (RED):
- Program Chair (College & Higher Studies)
- Head (IBED K- $12$ & Technical HS RED)
- Grade $11$ Theology teachers.

Prayers & Spiritual Exhortations

Rule of Benedict Prologue; Bedan invocation to St. Benedict; general Benedictine prayers; prayers to Our Lady of Montserrat, St. Bede.

Ethical, Spiritual, & Practical Implications