April 17: Saint Robert of Molesme, Abbot
Founder of the Cistercian Order
He is counted among the founders of the Cistercian Order. Deeply devoted to the Virgin Mary, he promoted a return to a simple and austere monastic life. This is Saint Robert of Molesme, born in Troyes, in Champagne, in 1028 or 1029, into a noble family. His parents were Thierry and Ermengarde, counts of Tonnerre from the Maligny branch.
At the age of fifteen, Robert entered the Abbey of Moutier-la-Celle and, after ten years, was elected prior. Around 1070, he was chosen as Abbot of Saint-Michel de Tonnerre. Shortly afterward, he was contacted by some hermits living in the forests of Colan, who wanted him as their guide.
The monks of the Abbey of Saint-Michel de Tonnerre did not want Robert to leave, but he no longer felt at ease there, as he wished to live a more austere life than that prescribed by the Cluniac rule. Thus, in 1074, he joined the hermits of Colan, and many others soon followed him. The group grew so large that it became necessary to found a new monastery.
Thus, in 1075, the cenobium of Molesme was established, where the monks followed the authentic spirit of the Rule of Saint Benedict. Over time, however, the monastery became wealthy, and its original rigor began to decline. Robert tried to restore the community to its former fervor, but without success. Then, on March 21, 1098—Palm Sunday—Robert, together with a group of 20 monks, including Saints Stephen Harding and Alberic, left Molesme to settle in a marshy woodland area called Cîteaux, not far from Dijon. There was a small chapel on the site, but no buildings, so the monks sheltered themselves in huts made of branches and twigs.
After many hardships, Robert obtained support and a grant of land from the Duke of Burgundy. In the new community, he was elected abbot and blessed by the local bishop. Meanwhile, the monks of Molesme were unwilling to accept the separation so easily. They appealed to the papal legate Hugh to have Robert return to the monastery, hoping that the new community would also be dissolved. The legate referred the matter to Pope Urban II, who ordered that Robert return to Molesme, while allowing the monastery of Cîteaux to continue its life.
Thus, in obedience, Robert returned to Molesme on July 29, 1099. Alberic was elected in his place at Cîteaux, and he later obtained from Pope Paschal II confirmation of the Cistercian Order. On April 17, 1111, Robert died, and he was canonized by Pope Honorius III in 1222.