Bruno,
of a prominent family of Cologne, was born in this ancient city around
the year 1030. A promising scholar, he studied at the cathedral school
of Rheims, and was ordained to the priesthood in his native Cologne.
In
1056 he became a professor of grammar and theology at his former school
in Rheims where he taught brilliantly for eighteen years. Many eminent
scholars and philosophers studied under him and did him honor throughout
Europe, including Eudes de Châtillon, later Pope Urban II, who convoked
the First Crusade.
In 1076, he was appointed chancellor of the
diocese, and was about to be elected as Archbishop of Rheims when he
announced he was retiring into solitude. At first, Bruno placed himself
under the direction of Robert of Molesmes, who later was instrumental in
the founding of the Abbey of Citeaux.
Later, given land by St.
Hugh, the Bishop of Grenoble, he and six other followers settled in the
mountainous reaches of Chartreuse where they first build an oratory
surrounded by individual cells. Such was the origin of the Order of the
Carthusians, which takes its name from Chartreuse. A great admirer of
the Order's founder, Bishop Hugh made his spiritual retreats at the
Chartreuse where he took Bruno for his spiritual father.
Hearing
of his sanctity, and personally acquainted with his prudence and
knowledge, his former pupil, now Pope Urban II, summoned Bruno to Rome.
Although this presented a great trial for the saint, he obeyed, leaving
one of his disciples, Landuin, as prior of the Chartreuse.
In
Rome Bruno served the Holy Pontiff in various capacities, including
helping in the preparation of several synods with the aim of reforming
the clergy. Pressed by the pope to accept the archbishopric of Reggio in
Calabria, Bruno earnestly excused himself, begging to be allowed to
live in solitude. Pope Urban II finally consented that he retire into
Calabria, but not so far off as Chartreuse.
With the help of a
noble friend, Count Roger, Bruno settled in the valley of La Torre with a
few new disciples from Rome. Here he embraced the life of solitude
with more joy and fervor than ever. It was here also, that Landuin
visited him on behalf of the monks of the Chartreuse. They wished to
consult their founder as to the manner in which their monastery should
follow more faithfully in the spirit of its founder. Bruno instructed,
comforted and urged them to perseverance and blessed them.
As he
felt death approaching in 1101, Bruno gathered his monks about him and
made a public confession of his life, and a profession of faith, which
was lovingly preserved by his spiritual sons. He resigned his soul to
God on October 6 in the year 1101.
According to Carthusian
custom, which shuns all form of publicity, Bruno was never formally
canonized. Nevertheless, in 1514, the Order obtained permission from
Pope Leo X to keep Bruno’s feast. In 1674, Pope Clement X extended the
commemoration of his feast to the Universal Church.
Tuesday, October 6, 2020
St. Bruno
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