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In the next several centuries after Benedict, monastic
men and women served as missionaries throughout Europe. Augustine of
Canterbury was sent to England in the 600’s, and monastics from there, such
as Boniface, Willibrord, Leoba and Walburga , went in turn to Germany and
the Netherlands. Their lived example and generous service to the local
people, as well as their effective teaching, brought most of Europe into the
Christian Church and into flourishing monastic communities. This earned
Saint Benedict the titles of “Patron of Western Europe” and “Patron of
Western Monasticism.”
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