Saint Benedict of Aniane

[CyrilSebastian]

                  Benedict was born a Visgoth c. 747 at Languedon, France. He was the son of Aigul,   
                   Count of Maguelone. He was educated at the court of King Pepin III of the Franks.   
                   He was courtier and cup-bearer to King Pepin and Charlemagne.

[CyrilSebastian]

                     At age twenty Benedict decided to live for the Lord alone.  He became a monk   
                      at an abbey near Dijon. The monks wanted to make him the abbot.     
                      Benedict left because he felt the monks would not accept the severe pattern     
                      of life he had adopted.

[CyrilSebastian]

Benedict founded a monastery based on Benedictine Rule at Aniane in southern France.

[CyrilSebastian]

In 781 King Louis the Pious of Aquitaine asked Benedict to reform the monasteries in his territory.

[CyrilSebastian]

In 814 Emperor Louis had Benedict found a monastery on the river Inde near the court at Aachen.   
The monastery came to be known as Kornelimunster Abbey.

[CyrilSebastian]

Benedict of Aniane was originally given the Gothic name Witiza.