Rule of Stone (St. Benedict of Nursia)

Ora et labora
Lux in tenebris
Deus vult, sanctus fortis

Born in the ruins of fallen rome
A world in ashes, faith alone
Young noble blood, but the city's sin
Called him away from the serpent's grin

He fled to the mountains, subiaco's stone
A cave of fire, cold and alone
Tempted by flesh, he rolled in thorns
Blood on the ground, the spirit reborn

From the darkness he rose
With the cross as his blade
A war for the soul
A monk unafraid

Stand, saint benedict
Father of monks, light of the west
Rule forged in fire, put souls to the test
Pray, work, obey
Ora et labora, the holy command
Built an empire not made by hand

They came for wisdom, they came for truth
Disciples gathered around his youth
But jealous men tried poison and blade
Bread turned black by a traitor's hand

He blessed the cup, the chalice cracked
The raven carried the death attack
God's shield held firm, the plot undone
He marched ahead, the war not done

Through betrayal and hate
Still mercy remained
A general of peace
He conquered with chains

Stand, saint benedict
Shield of the church, tower of prayer
Darkness retreats when his name fills the air
Pray, work, obey
A code for the ages, eternal flame
Europe rebuilt in Christ's name

Monte cassino, fortress of God
Rule of saint benedict, pillar of civilization

Ora et labora, ora et labora

On monte cassino the banner was raised
Pagan temples erased by praise
Not with sword but psalm and quill
Faith and order, iron will

Kings would fall and empires burn
Yet his rule would always return
From candle-lit halls to cathedral stone
His sons would carry Christ's throne

Scriptures preserved
When the world went blind
He saved tomorrow
By guarding the mind

Stand, saint benedict
Hammer of chaos, builder of peace
The monastic army would never cease
Pray, work, obey
From dark ages dawn was born
Western christendom sworn

Father, abbot, shepherd of men
From cave to kingdom, age without end

He saw his death before it came
Raised by brothers, whispered God's name
Standing in prayer, arms to the sky
A soldier of Christ prepared to die

Yet death was not the final call
His rule still marches through history's wall
From monasteries to schools and thrones
His legacy outlives stone

Stand, saint benedict
Lion of monks, defender of truth
The cross his banner, eternal youth
Pray, work, obey
Hear the bells of holy war
Not of blood, but souls restored

Stand, saint benedict
Europe's father, rome's true son
Victory claimed, the battle won
Ora, labora
Forever we sing
To the saint who crowned Christ king

Sancte benedicte, ora pro nobis
Lux occidentis
Amen