The Inner Mountain Outfitters Feast of St. Benedict, July 11

St. Benedict by Pietro Periguno 1446 - 1524

St. Benedict of Nursia is the Father of Western Monasticism , the Patron Saint of speliologists and Europe, and brother of St. Scholastica. I assume he is the patron of cave explorers because he lived in a cave for three years. When the abbot of a  nearby monastery died, the community came to him and asked him to take over the joint. He wasn't keen on the idea, but did it anyway. The monks liked his style so much they tried to poison Benedict, first with drink (Benedict prayed over the cup and it shattered) and then by bread (a raven flew in the window and stole the loaf). So off to the cave again.

He finally emerged and went on to found 12 different monasteries - including the fantastic Monte Cassino, where he died in 543, or maybe it was 547.

Monte Cassino