Saint Robert of Molesme

Life story

Robert was born around 1028 or 1029 near Troyes in Champagne, into a noble family. He entered the Benedictine abbey of Montier-la-Celle at fifteen and later became prior there. Around 1070 he was made abbot of Saint-Michel-de-Tonnerre, but finding the monks quarrelsome and disobedient he went back to Montier-la-Celle.

By about 1074-1075 he headed a community of hermits, and he moved it to Molesme in Burgundy and founded an abbey there. Molesme became a centre of Benedictine monastic life, but some of its monks wanted a stricter observance of the Rule of Saint Benedict.

In 1098 he and about twenty other monks left Molesme and founded a new abbey at Cîteaux, on land given by the viscount Renaud of Beaune. It was inaugurated on 21 March 1098, the feast of Saint Benedict. About a year later the monks of Molesme asked him to return, and he agreed. Alberic succeeded him at Cîteaux, with Stephen Harding as prior.

Robert died on 17 April 1111 at Molesme. Pope Honorius III canonized him in 1222. Cîteaux later became the source of the Cistercian Order.

Works and witness

• Entered Montier-la-Celle at fifteen and became its prior
• Founded the abbey of Molesme in Burgundy around 1075
• Began Cîteaux with about twenty monks on 21 March 1098
• Returned to Molesme about a year later at the monks' request
• Canonized by Pope Honorius III in 1222

Saints from the same country

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Saint Louis IX of France, Saint Joan of Arc, Saint Francis de Sales

References

• Catholic Encyclopedia (1908), entry Abbey of Cîteaux (New Advent, cathen/03792a)

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.