Saint Benedict (480-547), was born in Nursia, a town in central Italy, and began studies in Rome before embarking on a hermit's life in a cave at Subiaco. He later founded the monastery of Monte Cassino where he wrote his Holy Rule. In the course of the Middle Ages, all monasticism in the West was brought under the Rule of Saint Benedict. Through the prayer and work of his followers, Benedict profoundly influenced the spiritual, educational, and cultural life of Western civilization.

Benedictines in New Hampshire
The first Benedictine foundation in the United States was established in 1846 at Latrobe, Pa. This monastery, Saint Vincent Archabbey, became the first abbey of the American-Cassinese Congregation. From here, a daughter house, Saint Mary's Abbey in Newark, N.J., was founded in 1857. Thirty-one years later in 1889, the Benedictines came to New Hampshire from Newark in order to found a parish and plan their educational and monastic endeavors. Saint Anselm College grew out of this work

Additional information about Saint Anselm of Cantebury can be found on the College Web site.