Saint Benedict of Narsia lived in the sixth century.  He founded a monastary in Italy he had many followers called Benedictine's.  They followed his instructions and followed three solemn vows. Poverty (never to own proprty), chastity (not to marry), and obedience.  These rules or vows were known as Benedict's Rule.  The men who joined the monestary and followed Benedict's rule were Monks.

  The way of life that the Monks followed under Saint Benedict was called monasticism. The men totally devoted themselves to their religionand the work of the monastary.  Work was very important to Saint Benedict and he wrote "To work is to pray".   The monks under Benedict's rule spent their time plowing their fields, rewriting sacred books into manuscripts and praying.  The monks also attended as many as eight church services a day.   

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