Saint Robert of Molesme

Robert of Molesme (1028 – 17 April 1111) was an abbot, and a founder of the Cistercian Order. He is venerated as a Christian saint. Robert was born about 1029 near Troyes, a younger son of Thierry and Ermengarde, nobles of Champagne. He entered the Benedictine abbey of Montier-la-Celle near Troyes at age fifteen and rose to the office of prior. He was made abbot of Saint Michel-de-Tonnerre around the year 1070, but he soon discovered that the monks were quarrelsome and disobedient, so he returned to Montier-la-Celle. Meanwhile, two hermits from a group of monks who had settled at Collan went to Rome and asked Pope Gregory VII to appoint Robert as their superior. The pope granted their request, and by 1074, Robert served as their leader. Soon after, Robert moved the small community to Molesme in the valley of Langres in Burgundy. Initially, the establishment consisted of only huts made of branches surrounding a chapel in the forest, dedicated to the Holy Trinity. Molesme Abbey quickly became known for its piety and sanctity, and Robert's reputation as a saintly man grew. It is because of this renown that in 1082, Bruno of Cologne came to Robert seeking advice. He lived with Robert's community for a time before going on to found the Grande Chartreuse, the first Carthusian monastery. In 1098, there were 35 dependent priories of Molesme, other annexes, and some houses of nuns. Donors from the surrounding area vied with one another in helping the monks, so that they soon had more than they needed and slackened their way of life, becoming tepid. Benefactors sent their children to the abbey for education, and other non-monastic activities began to dominate daily life. The vast landholdings they had acquired required a large number of employees. As the community grew increasingly wealthy, it began to attract men seeking entry for the wrong reasons. They caused a division among the brothers, challenging Robert's severity.