Bruno, priest

Biography

"The saint of ora et labora." "The light of the Church", "Ornament of the 11th century". "Flower of the clergy and glory of France and Germany." From the glorious lineage of the Ubior he was born in the year 1030 in Cologne, Germany. When their son was born, his parents predicted that the Lord would be glorified and they were not wrong. He received a careful Christian and scientific education. He attended the best and most renowned Universities of his time, attracting attention for his alert intelligence and great kindness. Even as a young man they called him "Bruno the saint" and "Bruno the wise." In every assignment he was entrusted with, he stood out for the seriousness and dedication he put into it. Bruno, while still very young, had already opened a professorship that soon attracted attention for the wisdom and holiness that flowed within those walls. He was a wise man and a saint who directed those classrooms and it was logical that the fruit would soon be seen. Among his disciples were saints and wise men and even a Pope, Urban II. In 1084 he founded the first Charterhouse in history, which would be followed by many others, always drawing attention to the observance and austerity of life: solitude, perpetual silence, abstinence from meat, continuous prayer, tender devotion to the Virgin Mary. The Pope, the Bishops, people in general, are deeply impressed when they learn of the rigor of these lives that seem more like those of angels than of men. The Pope calls Bruno to Rome. He wants to have him close to him and also tries to mitigate that harshness of life. The Holy founder opposes and convinces the Holy Father that this is a path inspired by God and that it can very well be carried out with human strength and the help of the grace that never fails. He returned to the Charterhouse and his love for God grew more and more. He died on October 6, 1101.