CHANON, JUAN. – Benedetto di Monserrato (more correctly Chanones), born at Mirepoix (southern France) in 1489, died a holy death at Monserrato on 8 June 1568. After a brief period of pastoral ministry, in 1521 he became a monk at Monserrato. In this abbey he was formed in the ascetical school begun by Abbot Garcia de Cisneros, who had given decisive impetus to the monastic life renewed there under the influence of the reform of S. Benedetto di Valladolid.
C. devoted himself to a life of strict monastic observance: he imposed severe fasts and absolute abstinence upon himself even in cases of serious illness. He also spent some time in one of the hermitages in the vicinity of the abbey. For many years the confessor of pilgrims, he was also held in high esteem by s. Ignazio di Loyola, who chose him as his confessor during his stay at Monserrato following his conversion; later, too, he went to him and submitted to him his first written Exercises.
C. contributed greatly to the reform of monasticism in Spain, carrying out the delicate task of novice master in various monasteries. Together with Fr. Chaves (v.) he was sent to Portugal, where he first held the same office and then was abbot for a short time of a Cistercian monastery, an office which he soon relinquished in order to return to Monserrato. In the Benedictine Martyrology his memory is observed on 8 June, and also on 8 May and 25 June.