Robert of Molesme facts for kids
Quick facts for kids SaintRobert of Molesme |
|
|---|---|
Robert of Molesme, 15th century statue
|
|
| Born | 1028 Troyes, Champagne, France |
| Died | 17 April 1111 (aged 82–83) Molesme, France |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church |
| Canonized | 1222 by Pope Honorius III |
| Feast | January 26 (initially April 17, subsequently April 29) |
Robert of Molesme (1028 – 17 April 1111) was an important religious leader who lived a long time ago. He was an abbot, which is like a leader of a monastery. He helped start a famous group of monks called the Cistercian Order. People remember him as a Christian saint.
Contents
Robert's Early Life
Robert was born around 1029 in Troyes, a city in France. His parents were nobles, meaning they came from an important family. When he was about 15 years old, Robert joined a Benedictine monastery called Montier-la-Celle. He worked hard and eventually became the prior, which is a high-ranking position in the monastery.
Around the year 1070, Robert became the abbot of another monastery, Saint Michel-de-Tonnerre. However, the monks there were often arguing and didn't follow the rules. Because of these problems, Robert decided to go back to Montier-la-Celle.
Founding Molesme Abbey
Meanwhile, a group of monks living as hermits (people who live alone for religious reasons) asked Pope Gregory VII to send Robert to be their leader. The Pope agreed, and Robert became their superior in 1074.
Soon after, Robert moved this small group to a new place called Molesme in Burgundy, France. At first, they lived in simple huts made of branches, with a small chapel. This new monastery, Molesme Abbey, quickly became known for its strong religious life. Robert's reputation as a holy man grew, and people admired his dedication.
In 1082, a famous monk named Bruno of Cologne came to Molesme to ask Robert for advice. Bruno stayed with Robert's community for a while before going on to start the first Carthusian monastery.
Challenges at Molesme
By 1098, Molesme Abbey had grown very large. It had 35 smaller monasteries connected to it, plus other buildings and even some nunneries. People in the area gave the monks many gifts and donations. Soon, the monastery became very wealthy.
However, this wealth caused problems. Some monks became less strict in their religious life. People also sent their children to the abbey for education, and other activities that were not part of monastic life started to take over. The large amount of land the monastery owned also required many workers.
As the community grew richer, some men joined for the wrong reasons. They caused disagreements among the monks and challenged Robert's strict rules. Robert tried to leave Molesme twice because of these issues, but the Pope ordered him to return each time.
Starting Cîteaux Abbey
In 1098, Robert and twenty-one of his monks decided to leave Molesme for good. They wanted to create a new monastery where they could live a stricter religious life. Renaud, a local noble, gave them a wild valley in a deep forest. There, they founded Cîteaux Abbey.
Two of Robert's monks from Molesme, Stephen Harding and Alberic, were very important in setting up this new monastery. At first, they faced many challenges. The archbishop of Lyons helped them by writing to Eudo, the duke of Burgundy. Duke Eudo then paid for their buildings, helped them with money for their daily needs, and gave them land and cattle. A local bishop officially made the new monastery an abbey.
Robert's Return to Molesme
In 1099, the monks at Molesme asked Robert to come back. They promised to follow his strict interpretation of the Rule of St. Benedict, which was a set of rules for monks. The local bishop also urged Robert to return. Robert agreed, and Molesme became a very important center for the Benedictine order under his leadership.
After Robert left Cîteaux, Alberic became the new abbot there, with Stephen Harding as the prior.
Robert died on 17 April 1111. Pope Honorius III officially declared him a saint in 1222. His feast day (a special day to remember him) in the Roman Catholic Church is on 17 April. The Benedictines celebrate him, along with Alberic of Cîteaux and Stephen Harding, on February 26.
A book about his life, called Vie de saint Robert de Molesme, was written by Guy, who became the abbot of Molesme right after Robert.
See also
In Spanish: Roberto de Molesmes para niños
