CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 2
HE therefore left his own country and went to Rome, where, in fulfilment of his long and ardent desire, he made sure he visited the tombs of the apostles and venerated their remains.2 Directly he returned home he devoted himself wholeheartedly and unceasingly to making known as widely as possible the forms of church life which he had seen in Rome and had come to love and cherish. Then Alchfrid, King Oswiu’s son, determined to make the journey to Rome to worship at the tombs of the apostles and decided to take Benedict with him. But Alchfrid’s visit was countermanded by his father who made him stay at home in his own country and kingdom. Benedict, being a young man of sound natural abilities, set out at once undeterred and completed the journey with all haste. This was during the reign of Pope Vitalian of blessed memory.3 This time, just as on his former visit, he took a delight in amassing a good deal of useful knowledge. After a few months’ stay he left for the monastery at Lérins,4 where he entered the community, received the tonsure, took vows as a monk and followed the discipline of the Rule with all due care. After two years’ training in monastic life, overcome again by love of the Prince of the Apostles, he made up his mind to tread once more the streets made sacred by the presence of St Peter’s body.