Monday, November 4, 2019

BLESSED ROBERT OF ARBRISSEL

Blessed Robert of Arbrissel
Also known as Robert of Arbressec
Born in Arbrissel (Arbressec), Brittany, France,  1047;
Died at Orsan on February 25, 1117.
Feast day 24 February
 Robert studied at Paris, became chancellor of the University of Paris, was ordained, and then became archpriest / vicar general at Rennes  1089 at the invitation of Bishop Sylvester of Gerche, who invited him to assist him in reforming that see.

Robert was forced to flee the enemies he made with his reforms when the bishop died, and he became a hermit in the Craon Forest in 1095. The following year he founded the monastery of La Roe for the many disciples he had attracted by his holiness. He was appointed 'preacher' by Pope Urban II the same year, attracted huge crowds, and in 1099 founded the double Benedictine monastery of Fontevrault under the direction of an abbess for the many postulants La Roe could not accommodate.

He attended the Council of Poitiers in 1100, where he favored the excommunication of King Philip I of France, and the Council of Nantes in 1110. Robert called a chapter to establish a permanent organization of his monks in 1116, and died the following year at Orsan. He has never been formally beatified .

Blessed Robert is generally painted as a Benedictine abbot enjoying a vision of the crucified Christ, Virgin Mary, and Saint John. At times he may be shown wearing a coat of mail next to his skin  He is venerated in Fontevrault, Paris, and Rennes 

No comments:

Post a Comment