St. Benedict of Benevento was killed with four others when they were robbed during a journey to evangelize eastern Europe.

He was a monk in a famous monastery in Ravenna, which was led by St. Romuald. With four other monks, he was sent to spread the Gospel in the region between Poland and Germany.

They arrived in western Poland and began to learn the Slavic language. They began their preaching nearby, but on this date, November 12, in 1003 they were murdered by pagan robbers.

The community honored them as martyrs, and they became known as the Five Polish Brothers, even though they were not related by blood, nor were they Polish.

Some of the relics of St. Benedict of Benevento rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on campus.

St. Benedict of Benevento, murdered with four companions while preaching the Gospel—pray for us!