The Benedictine Order

Originally intended just for the monks of Monte Cassino, the Rule of St Benedict eventually became the template for Western Monasticism.

The Benedictine Order is a monastic order founded by St Benedict of Nursia in the 6th century. Durham Cathedral was founded as a Benedictine Foundation and remained as such until the Reformation.

To this day there are still traces of the Benedictine way of life in the Cathedral – for example, the order of liturgical processions and the use of the word "Chapter", referring to the fact that the monks read a chapter of the Rule together every day.

Find out about the defining features and history of the Benedictine Order, and learn how it was responsible for the spread of Christianity in England.

St Benedict, the founder of the Benedictine Order, delivering his rule to three monks.