Sts. Benedict and Francis?

Question

I got a report from one of my theology teachers to compare the lives of St Benedict and St. Francis... There are like 8 St. Francis's and I am not sure what one. Can someone tell me which Francis is most closely associated with Benedict.

Answer 1

I think you can try with St. Francis of Assisi, (San Francesco d'Assisi), 'cause their Rules are near similar. St. Benedict, (San Benedetto da Norcia), belongs to a time when West Roman Empire was going to finish, and he was the man of the famous Rule: "Ora et Labora", "Pray and Work": he also built the Montecassino Abbey, where he died near 555 A.D. St. Francis of Assisi lived between XII and XIII c. in the centre of Italy, building his Rule near that the St. Benedict one. Both on poverty and severe customs, meditation and work, prayer, hospitality and testimony of the Word. I hope you'll do a good work. Here is Italy. Ciao.

Answer 2

Probably St. Francis of Assisi. Both Saints started Monastic orders. The Benedictines and the Franciscans.