He was born to a noble family in Nursia, Italy with his twin sister, Scholastica. Disgusted with the corrupt lifestyle of pagan Rome, he left the city to live alone as a hermit and be with God. For 3 years he spent time in prayer in a cave in the mountain of Subiaco amid rigorous demonic temptations to return to his rich and comfortable life. With prayer and penance, he overcame his temptations and started 12 monasteries. He wrote the Rule of the Benedictine Order and dedicated his life to the monastic order.