13 Interesting Facts About Saint Benedict

– Joseph Ratzinger was born in Marktl in the German state of Bavaria.

– Saint Benedict was a teenager when he became a monk – His  father was a police officer and his mother’s family was originally from  South Tyrol. His brother became a priest. His sister never married and  managed his household until her death in 1991.

– Joseph spent his teen years in Traunstein and was called at the age  of 16 into the auxiliary anti-aircraft service towards the end of World  War II.

– Saint Benedict once lived in a hermit cave – Scholastica, the founder of the Benedictine sisters, was Benedict’s sister

– Saint Benedict is the patron saint of Europe and schoolchildren – Some monks tried to poison Benedict

– There is a medal named after Benedict – His teaching methods were very harsh

– He gave up his rich inheritance to become a follower of Jesu

– Benedict’s feast day is July 11th

“With sorrow I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican,” the Vatican said. No cause of death was provided.