Benedict was born around 480 to a patrician family. He studied in Rome, and founded twelve small convents and the monastery around 529. There he wrote his Regula monachorum. He died in 547. The Vatican stamps were issued in 1980 to celebrate the 1500 anniversary of the birth of St. Benedict.

     The 80 l. stamp shows Abott Disiderius giving a Codex to St. Benedict. the 450 l. stamp shows the monastery at Montecasino based on a painting by Paul Bril.

     The 100 l. stamp shows St. Benedict writing the Rule. The 150 l. stamp shows a page from the Rule. And the 220 l. stamp shows the death of St. Benedict.