St. Placidus

St. Placidus Biography

St. Placidus, also known as St. Placid and St. Placide, was a Christian monk and martyr who lived in the 4th century. He was born in Sicily, Italy, and as a child was sent to be educated by his uncle, the abbot of a monastery. He became a monk himself and later was one of the twelve monks sent by St. Benedict to Monte Cassino, where the Rule of Saint Benedict was first established.

The legend of St. Placidus is closely tied to that of St. Benedict. According to tradition, while Placidus was still a boy, he and his twin brother, St. Flavian, were sent to be educated by their uncle, the abbot of a monastery. During a trip to the forest to gather firewood, the two boys came across a cave, where they decided to live as hermits. There, they were visited by an angel, who taught them how to read and write.

St. Placidus and his brother were later visited by St. Benedict, who was impressed by their devotion and holiness. He invited them to join him at Monte Cassino, where he was establishing a monastic community. Placidus and Flavian accepted the invitation, and became two of the twelve original monks of Monte Cassino.

St. Placidus served as a monk at Monte Cassino for many years, and was known for his deep devotion to God and his commitment to living the monastic life. According to tradition, he was a skilled healer, and many miracles were attributed to him. He was also known for his ability to read people’s thoughts and for his wisdom.

During the Lombard invasions in the 6th century, the Monastery of Monte Cassino was destroyed and the relic of St. Placidus along with it. But a monk fled with relics of the saint and took them to the island of Palmaria, in the Gulf of La Spezia, Liguria, Northern Italy. He established a new monastery, and it was there that the relics of St. Placidus were kept. The Monastery of St. Placidus on Palmaria is still in existence today.

It’s believed that St. Placidus died as a martyr, although the exact circumstances of his death are not known. He is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. His feast day is celebrated on November 11th.

The legacy of St. Placidus is celebrated in the monastery that bears his name on the island of Palmaria, as well as in other monasteries and churches around the world that are dedicated to him. His name is also remembered in the Catholic Church as the patron saint of Palmaria.

The monastery of St. Placidus on Palmaria is known to be one of the most important pilgrimage centers in Liguria, Italy. Many people visit the monastery each year to pay their respects to St. Placidus, and to seek the intercession of this holy monk in their lives.

The Life of St. Placidus

Saint Placidus was born at Rome in 515. Tertullus, his father, a man of high rank, placed him, at the age of seven, under the tutelage of St. Benedict at Subiaco. Daily the youth advanced in holy wisdom and in the perfect practice of all virtues. St. Benedict seeing the great progress which divine grace made in St. Placidus tender heart loved him as one of the dearest of his spiritual children, and took him to Monte Cassino in 528. St. Placidus was then sent to Sicily to erect a church and monastery in honor of St. John the Baptist, near the harbor of Messina, where he lived a holy life with his Monks.

Martyrs of the Faith

St. Gregory the Great mentioned in his Dialogues that St. Placidus was the youthful disciple of St. Benedict; that Saints Eutychius and Victorinus were brothers of St. Placidus and St. Flavia was their sister. One day when they came to visit Placidus, a certain cruel pagan pirate from Africa, named Manucha, landed in Sicily, and out of hatred of the Christian name, after sacking the monastery, and being unable to induce Placidus and his companions to deny Christ, ordered him and his brothers and sister to be cruelly put to death. Donatus, Firmatus the deacon, Faustus, and thirty other Monks were also martyred with them on October 5, about the year 539.

Popular St. Placidus Medal and St. Placidus Rosary

Prayers to St. Placidus

O God, who permit us to celebrate the anniversary of the death of your holy Martyrs, Saint Placidus and his Companions, grant that we may enjoy their companionship in everlasting happiness. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Prayer to St. Placidus

Oh St. Placidus, faithful servant of God, who lived a life of devotion and simplicity, intercede for me in my times of need. Help me to imitate your unwavering faith and trust in the Lord, no matter the challenges that may come my way. Grant me the grace to persevere in times of difficulty and to always have a heart of service and love for others.

A prayer to St. Placidus for strength and guidance

St. Placidus, through your example of fortitude and courage, help me to find the strength to face any obstacle that may come my way. Guide me on my journey to live a life of purpose and meaning, always striving to serve the Lord and those in need. May I learn from your wisdom and guidance, always seeking to grow in my faith and love for God.

A prayer to St. Placidus for peace and calm

Dear St. Placidus, in your peaceful and serene life, you showed us the beauty of a soul at peace with God. Help me to find this same peace, even in the midst of turmoil and unrest. May I always trust in the Lord’s plan for me, and find comfort in knowing that all is in His hands. With your intercession, may I experience the peace and calm that comes from living a life devoted to God.

Prayer to St. Placidus

Heavenly Father, you called St. Placidus to serve you in the monastic life, and to be an example of holiness, devotion, and love. I pray that through his intercession, I may grow in my own faith, and become a more loving and devoted child of yours.

Grant me, O Lord, the grace to follow in St. Placidus’s footsteps, and to seek after your will in all things. May I embrace the monastic life with joy, and may I find solace and peace in your presence, as he did.

Through his prayers, may I be filled with the Holy Spirit, and may I find the strength to be a witness of your love and truth in a world that so desperately needs it.

St. Placidus, pray for me. Amen.

Prayer for St. Placidus’s Intercession

St. Placidus, you dedicated your life to God and lived as a true servant of His will. I come to you today asking for your intercession in my own life.

I ask that you pray for me, that I may have the courage to follow God’s will in all things, and that I may find peace and happiness in serving Him. May I grow in love and devotion, and may I become a better witness of His truth and love.

Through your prayers, I ask that I may be blessed with the grace to serve God with joy and gladness, and that I may one day join you in the kingdom of heaven.

St. Placidus, pray for me. Amen.

 

St. Placidus: Patron Saint of Benedictine Monks

St. Placidus was a revered saint who is venerated as the patron saint of Benedictine monks. He was a disciple of St. Benedict of Nursia, and is remembered for his devotion to the monastic way of life and his unwavering commitment to the principles of the Benedictine order.

Patron Saint of Benedictine Monks

St. Placidus is venerated as the patron saint of Benedictine monks due to his association with St. Benedict of Nursia and his devotion to the monastic way of life. He is remembered as a devout and spiritual person who lived according to the principles of the Benedictine order, and who inspired others to do the same.

The Benedictine order is a monastic community that follows the Rule of St. Benedict, a guide to monastic life that was written by St. Benedict in the 6th century. The order is known for its emphasis on stability, prayer, and work, and its members are considered to be among the most dedicated and spiritual individuals in the Catholic Church.

An Example of Devotion to Monastic Life

St. Placidus is remembered not only as the patron saint of Benedictine monks, but also as an example of devotion to monastic life. He is said to have lived a life of prayer and contemplation, and to have dedicated himself to serving others and spreading the teachings of the Benedictine order.

In conclusion, St. Placidus is a revered saint who is associated with the Benedictine order and the monastic way of life. He is remembered for his devotion to the principles of the Benedictine order and his unwavering commitment to the monastic way of life, and is therefore invoked by many Benedictine monks as well as those seeking guidance and inspiration.”

Reflection on the feast day of St. Placidus

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You may also be interested in reading the Biography of St. Benedict. St. Placidus is traditionally associated with St. Benedict as one of his early followers and disciples. They share a connection through their monastic life. Next up: Biography of St. Polycarp of Smyrna

 

Also check out our handmade St. Placidus Medal and St. Placidus Rosary and St. Placidus Rosary Bracelet .