While St. Benedict is highly praised as the "Father of Western Monasticism," he did not formulate his Rule in a bubble. He was influenced by an earlier rule written by St. Pachomius, an Egyptian saint of the 4th century.
St. Pachomius is known as the "Father of Cenobitic Monasticism," referring to his role in emphasizing community life, versus what many Egyptian saints were practicing at the time, which was "Eremitical Monasticism," a way of life that focused on seclusion.
He is also part of the group called the "Desert Fathers," which includes a wide variety of influential saints during the early centuries of Christianity.
Who was St. Pachomius?
Born to pagan parents at the end of the 3rd century, St. Pachomius was baptized as an adult after having witnessed the charity of Christians while serving in the Roman army.
After his baptism, St. Pachomius was inspired by the hermits in the Egyptian desert and went to live with a monk named Palemon. He initially wasn't planning on staying in the desert forever, but felt drawn to remain.
He then experienced a vision that told him, "Very many eager to embrace the monastic life will come hither to thee." At first everyone who came to him wanted to live a hermit's life. However, St. Pachomius had a different view of monastic life that was more focused on community than living in isolation from one another.
The Catholic Encyclopedia explains some of the hurdles he had to deal with:
First his elder brother joined him, then others, but all were bent upon pursuing the eremitical life with some modifications proposed by Pachomius (e.g., meals in common). Soon, however, disciples came who were able to enter into his plans. In his treatment of these earliest recruits Pachomius displayed great wisdom. He realized that men, acquainted only with the eremitical life, might speedily become disgusted, if the distracting cares of the cenobitical life were thrust too abruptly upon them. He therefore allowed them to devote their whole time to spiritual exercises, undertaking himself all the burdensome work which community life entails.
He eventually wrote a rule, which some traditions claim was inspired by an angel.
His monastery grew and he spent the rest of his life leading the monks under his charge. St. Pachomius believed that this new form of monasticism was more accessible, as living in seclusion appeared to be difficult for most people.
St. Pachomius died in 348, and shortly after his death St. Jerome translated his rule into Latin, which is likely how St. Benedict was able to have access to it centuries later. His feast is celebrated by Eastern Churches on May 15.
