Skip to main content

Secondary sourceDocument1927

To St. Benedict (poem in SPC Student Life, no. 5)

Ivan Kramoris · 1927

A 1927 student poem by Ivan Kramoris addressed to Saint Benedict, printed in the SPC Student Life magazine.

Shows how Benedict's motto and guidance were still honoured by students in 1927, long after his lifetime.

Ask Saint Benedict about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
Source: Wikisource

About this source

What it is

This is a poem titled "To St. Benedict" by Ivan Kramoris, printed in no. 5 of the SPC Student Life in 1927. The page opens with a note that Benedict is the founder of the Benedictine Order and that his feast is celebrated on March 21. The poem has several stanzas that ask the saint to guide young and old, and it ends with the motto "Work and pray." The text is held on Wikisource.

The poem is a later expression of devotion to Benedict, not an account written by someone who knew him.

Why it matters

The poem shows how Benedict's teaching, especially the motto "Work and pray", was still used to inspire young people in the twentieth century. It shows what a student writer chose to ask of the saint.

Look closer

  • Which words in the poem show what the writer thought Benedict's teaching was?
  • Who was the poem written for, and why would a student magazine print it?
  • What does the poem leave out about Benedict's life or the difficulties he faced?

This document is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Saint Benedict on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

More Saint Benedict sources

Meet the AI Saint Benedict →
Open pages of a medieval Latin manuscript on aged parchment, with handwritten black text in columns, red initials and rubrics, and a large decorated illuminated initial on the left page. The text appears to be a copy of a monastic rule.Book

Primary source

Rule of Saint Benedict

Benedict of Nursia · c. 600

A large monastery complex with a central dome and bell tower sits on top of a wooded hill under a clear blue sky. Dense green trees cover the hillside below the long pale building.Artifact

Secondary source

Monte Cassino

founded c. 529/530

Detail of a faded fresco showing a hooded, bald monk in a cream-colored robe seated at a white-draped table, holding a small cup. To the left, a woman in a blue blouse and orange skirt pours from a jug. Behind the table, a young man in green holds a tray, and another figure stands in a dark red robe. At the right edge, an older seated man in a light robe is partly visible.Painting

Secondary source

Fresco Cycle of the Life of St Benedict at Monte Oliveto Maggiore

Luca Signorelli and Sodoma · 1497-1505 (fresco cycle); abbey founded 1313

A dim, orange-lit chamber shows a large metal reliquary chest with three decorative hinged straps and studded ornamental fittings, set on a stone plinth. A brass plaque reads 'RELIQUES DE SAINT BENOIT 480-547'.Artifact

Secondary source

Reliquary of Saint Benedict at Fleury

A large, wrinkled parchment spread out on a dark background, with faded reddish and brown ink lines forming architectural plans of buildings, rooms, and circular features. Some handwritten text is visible at the lower left edge.Artifact

Secondary source

Plan of Saint Gall

c. 820-830

Ready when you are

Start chatting with Saint Benedict now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions