Benedictine

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Not to be confused with Bénédictine.

Munich's city symbol celebrates its founding by Benedictine monks—the origin of its name

A Benedictine is a person who follows the Rule of St Benedict. Such a person may live the Consecrated Life (that is, as a monk or nun) or not (for example, as an oblate). The Order of Saint Benedict, was founded in the sixth century in the Western Latin Rite of the Catholic Church.

In the English Reformation all monasteries were disolved and their lands confiscated by the throne. Since the Oxford Movement there has been a revival of Benedictine monasticism in the Anglican Church and other Christian Churches. Some Anglican Abbots are welcomed guests of the Roman Catholic Abbot Primate at Abbatial gatherings.

For the articles on the Benedictine way of religious living, see Benedictine Confederation, Benedictine Sisters, Oblates of Saint Benedict, Order of Saint Benedict, Order of St. Benedict (Anglican), and Rule of St Benedict.

Outside a monastic context, "Benedictine" may also refer to a follower of another Benedict, especially a Saint Benedict or a Pope Benedict. "Benedictine" is also used as a more general adjective; thus, the papacy of a particular Pope Benedict may be called the "Benedictine era" or an abby of the Order may be referred to as "Benedictine".