In the sixth century , Saint Benedict was one of the many Abbots who wrote a Rule for his monks. He had established monasteries at Subiaco and Monte Cassino in Italy. In the course of two centuries the use of the Rule spread and it was due to the influence of Charlemagne that it acquired a monopoly in the West. In this way, Saint Benedict came to be considered the founder of the "Order of Saint Benedict".

Each independent house of the Order is a separate family ruled by an Abbot and has its own noviciate. While each monastery will have its specific character, common characteristics will be found in all Benedictine houses whether of Monks or of Nuns. Christ will be at the centre of all things. Each community will strive to attain a balance between prayer (public liturgy, lectio divina, and personal prayer), work and study.

National grouping of monasteries, reform and renewal movements developed into congregational bodies. There are now twenty-one congregations within the Benedictine Confederation. In 1893, in an attempt at centralisation Pope Leo XIII directed the setting up of the Abbots' Congress, under the Abbot Primate, which meets in Rome every four years. The Abbot Primate is elected to a primacy of honour and resides at the Monastery of Sant' Anselmo in Rome.