October 6
Saint Bruno
Priest,
Founder of the Cartusian Order
(Around 1030 – 1101)
“Rejoice because you have reached the quiet and safe anchorage of a secret harbor. Many wish to come into this port, and many make great efforts to do so, yet do not achieve it. Indeed many, after reaching it, have been thrust out, since it was not granted them from above. By your work you show what you love and what you know. When you observe true obedience with prudence and enthusiasm, it is clear that you wisely pick the most delightful and nourishing fruit of divine Scripture.”
Saint Bruno
Saint’s Life Story
His Early Life
Bruno was born in Cologne, Germany of the prominent Hartenfaust family around the year 1030. There is little information available on Bruno’s youth and childhood. He received his education in Paris, France. Later, Bruno attended the seminary of Reims, France studying grammar and theology.
Ordained Priest And Teacher
When Bruno completed his educated, he returned to Cologne, Germany. In 1055, he was ordained a priest. Bruno was made Canon of St. Cunibert’s in Cologne. In 1056, Bishop Gervais de Château-du-Loir recalled him to Reims, France. The following year, Bruno became the head of the episcopal school, which at the time included the direction of the schools and the oversight of all the educational establishments of the diocese. Bruno led school from 1057 to 1075, not only administratively but, he also taught theology, acquiring an excellent reputation as a philosopher and theologian. It is worth noting that one of his students, who later became Pope Blessed Urban II, highlights the influence and impact Bruno had as a teacher.
Presided Over Cathedral School
During these two decades, he grew increasingly critical of the worldliness he observed among his fellow clergy. Meanwhile, the pious Bishop Gervais, a friend to Bruno, had been succeeded by Manasses de Gournai. This change brought about Bruno’s vocal opposition to the laxity and mismanagement of Archbishop Manasses. However, this dedication to upholding the virtues and principles of the Church led him to serve as the Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Rheims in 1075. In this role, Bruno provided daily administration of the diocese. Bruno continually tried to check the Archbishop, whom he thought was corrupt, but never fully succeeded.
Monk and Hermit
On the verge of being made bishop himself, Bruno instead followed a vow he had made to renounce secular concerns and withdrew, along with two of his friends, Raoul and Fulcius, also canons of Reims. However, it was a vision that Bruno received that ultimately led him on a path dedicated to seclusion and a deeper connection with God. So, Bruno decided to become a monk and for a while lived as a hermit under the direction of the monastic reformer, Saint Robert of Molesmes, the founder of Cistercian abbey of Citeaux.
Founded the Carthusian Order
Following an attempt at a solitary life of short duration, Bruno entered the region of Grenoble, France, where the Bishop, Saint Hugh of Grenoble, offered him a solitary site in the mountains of his diocese. In June 1084, the Bishop himself led Bruno and six of his companions to the primitive valley of Chartreuse in Dauphiny, France on a wild mountain range on the edge of the French Alps.
There, they built a hermitage, consisting of a few log cabins opening towards a gallery which allowed them access to the communal areas of the community — church, refectory, and chapter room — without having to suffer too much from intemperate conditions. So, with the assistance of Saint Hugh of Grenoble, Bruno established the first house of the Carthusian Order, a religious order focused on the eremitical and cenobitic way of life. The Carthusians, including Bruno, supported themselves through the meticulous copying of manuscripts.
Advised Pope Urban II in Rome
While establishing the order and living in seclusion, Bruno was called upon once again to serve the Church. In 1090, after six years of a pleasant solitary life, Bruno was called by Pope Urban II as Papal Adviser in the reformation of the clergy. For a time, Bruno settled in Rome in a hermitage in the ruins of the baths of Diocletian. However, But when Pope Urban II became involved in a quarrel with the antipope Gilbert of Ravenna (Clement III), both he and Bruno had to flee to Calabria in the south of Italy.
La Torre and St Stephen’s in Calabria
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. Bruno was able to found at La Torre a second monastery modelled on Chartreux, and five years later as the number of disciples increased, founded another, St Stephen’s. Here, he embraced the life of solitude with more joy and fervor than ever.
It was here also, that prior, 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. Bruno is also attributed with having written commentaries on the Psalms and the Epistles of Paul.
The Order founded by Bruno — the Carthusians — is one of the strictest in the Church. Carthusians follow the Rule of Saint Benedict, but accord it a most austere interpretation; there is perpetual silence and complete abstinence from flesh meat (only bread, legumes, and water are taken for nourishment).
His Death
After a life dedicated to God, Bruno passed away on October 6, 1101 in Torre, Calabria, Italy, from natural causes. He was buried in the church of Saint Stephen at Torre. His legacy as a scholar, reformer, and founder of the Carthusian Order continues to inspire and guide many faithful followers to this day.
Bruno was never formally canonized, because the Carthusians were averse to all occasions of publicity. But, in the year 1623, Pope Gregory XV included him in the General Roman Calendar for celebration on October 6th.
More recently, his Carthusian Order was the subject of the 2006 documentary film “Into Great Silence,” chronicling the life of monks in the Grand Chartreuse monastery.
Born: Around 1030 in Cologne, Germany
Died: October 6, 1101 in Torre, Calabria, Italy
Beatified: Never Formally Canonized
Canonized: 1623 by Pope Gregory XV
Feast Day: October 6
Patron Saint: Calabria, Italy; Carthusians; Germany; Grenoble, France; Possessed People; Ruthenia
Reflection
Saint Bruno went from leading the some of the finest schools of the world at the time in Reims, France to become a monk dedicated to seclusion and a deeper connection with God creating the Cartesian Order. Then, Saint Bruno goes from this solitary life to the busy city of Rome, Italy to advise Pope Urban II on reform for the clergy. Eventually, Saint Bruno returns to start another Carthusian community in Torre, Calabria, Italy. He provides an excellent model for us with his combination of active life serving God in busy communities to contemplative penitential hermit life of the Carthusians.
How can you live today, like Saint Bruno, combining both active service with contemplative solitude in your quest for holiness and unity with God?
Prayers
Saint Bruno,
You as a faithful servant of God founded the Carthusian Order, we come before you in prayer, seeking your intercession and wisdom.
You renounced the world to live a life of silence and contemplation, focusing your heart and mind entirely on God.
Help us to find moments of quiet and stillness in our busy lives, that we may listen to God’s voice and grow in our relationship with Him.
Your commitment to a life of simplicity and humility reminds us of the importance of detachment from worldly distractions.
Teach us to embrace simplicity and humility finding joy and contentment in God’s presence and the simple blessings of life.
As a spiritual guide and mentor, you led others to a deeper understanding of God’s love, establishing a community of faith dedicated to prayer and asceticism.
Inspire us to support and guide one another in our spiritual journeys, building communities rooted in faith, prayer, and mutual encouragement.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever.
Saint Bruno, pray for us. Amen.
Saint Links
Aleteia – What you need to know about the Order of St. Bruno (Carthusians)
America Needs Fatima – Saint Bruno
AnaStpaul – Saint of the Day – 6 October – St Bruno (c 1030-1101)
Catholic Culture – St. Bruno
Catholic Exchange – St. Bruno
Catholic Insight – Bruno’s Great Silence
Catholic News Agency – St. Bruno, founder Feast day: Oct 06
Catholic Online – St. Bruno
CatholicSaints.Info – Father Francis Xavier Weninger’s Lives of the Saints – Saint Bruno, Founder of the Carthusian Order
CNewsLive – St Bruno of Cologne
Daily Prayers – Bruno of Cologne
Editions Magnificant – Saint Bruno Founder of the Order of the Chartreuse or Carthusian Order (1030-1101)
Franciscan Media – Saint Bruno
Independent Catholic News – St Bruno
Loyola Press – Saint Bruno Feast day October 6
Melanie Rigney – Bruno
My Catholic Life – Saint Bruno, Priest
National Catholic Register – Diving into the Absolute of God, at the School of St. Bruno of Cologne
New Advent – Mougel, A. (1908). St. Bruno. In The Catholic Encyclopedia
Newman Ministry – Saint Bruno
Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira – St. Bruno, October 6
RC Spirituality (Uncle Eddy) – St. Bruno
Rev Alban Butler’s Lives Of The Saints Complete Edition – St Bruno, The Founder of the Cartusian Order
Saints Alive – St. Bruno the Carthusian
Saint Mary’s Press – Saint Bruno (c.1030-1101)
Saint of the Day – St. Bruno – Founder of the Carthusian Order
The Saint Challenge – St. St. Bruno of Cologne – October 6
uCatholic – Saint Bruno
Video Link
Cradio Saint of the Day: Saint Bruno of Cologne – YouTube (CatholicSaints.Info)