Albert of Vercelli facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Saint Albert of Jerusalem CRL
Patriarch of Jerusalem
Born	1149 Gualtieri, Italy
Died	14 September 1214(1214-09-14) (aged 64–65) Acre, Kingdom of Jerusalem
Venerated in	Roman Catholic Church
Feast	17 September (Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel)

Albert of Jerusalem (born 1149 – died 14 September 1214) was an important church leader and a saint. He was also known as Albert of Vercelli. He worked as a church lawyer and helped solve problems between different groups. Albert became a Bishop in Italy and later the top church leader in Jerusalem. He is especially remembered for helping to create the rules for the Carmelites, a group of monks.

Life of Albert

Albert was born in a place called Castel Gualtieri in Italy in 1149. He studied theology (the study of religion) and law. He joined a religious group called the Canons Regular of the Holy Cross in Mortara. In 1180, he was chosen as their leader, called a prior.

In 1184, Albert became the Bishop of Bobbio. A year later, he was made Bishop of Vercelli. He worked for the papacy (the Pope's office) as a special helper. He was a diplomat, meaning he helped solve disagreements between leaders. For example, he helped Pope Clement III and Holy Roman Emperor Frederick Barbarossa settle their differences.

In 1199, Albert acted as a special representative for the Pope, called a papal legate. He helped end a war between two cities, Parma and Piacenza.

Patriarch of Jerusalem

In 1205, Pope Innocent III chose Albert to be the Patriarch of Jerusalem. This was a very important church role in the Holy Land. While in Jerusalem, Albert continued to serve as the Pope's special representative.

Around 1209, Albert played a key part in starting a new religious group called the Carmelites. He wrote the rules for them, which became known as the Carmelite Rule of St. Albert. This group was based on Mount Carmel, which is near the city of Acre. Albert lived in Acre as the Patriarch.

Albert also helped settle arguments between different kingdoms. He mediated disputes between the Kingdom of Jerusalem and the Kingdom of Cyprus. He also helped solve problems between the Knights Templar and the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia.

His Death

In 1214, Albert was invited to a big church meeting called the Fourth Lateran Council. However, he was sadly killed on 14 September. He had disciplined a church leader who then attacked him during a religious procession. Albert was succeeded by Raoul of Merencourt.

See also

In Spanish: Alberto de Jerusalén para niños

• Book of the First Monks
• Constitutions of the Carmelite Order