St. Bruno

Saint Bruno of Cologne

Confessor

Bruno was born in Cologne around the year 1030 to one of the city’s noble families. After becoming a priest, Bruno was placed in charge of education in the diocese of Rheims. Among his own students was the future Pope Bl. Urban II. Bruno eventually became chancellor of the diocese, but after an extended conflict with a corrupt bishop, Bruno resigned and pursued a life of solitude, assisted by two companions. At first they considered joining St. Robert and the future Cistercians, but instead Bruno and his companions, now six in total, were aided by the bishop St. Hugh of Grenoble, who had seen a vision of the men in the form of seven stars, guiding him to the Chartreuse Mountains. There Bruno and his companions founded the Carthusians, an order built on a unique combination of solitude and communal monastic life. The original monastery also produces the famed Chartreuse liqueur. Bruno died in the year of Our Lord 1101 in Italy, where he had spent several years advising his friend Pope Urban and his patron Count Roger I of Sicily. Though eventually approved for veneration, Bruno was never formally canonized, since the Carthusians are so strict in their humility that they do not pursue causes of sainthood for their members.

Traditional Roman Martyrology for October 6th

IN Calabria, St. Bruno, confessor, founder of the Carthusian Order.

At Laodicea, the blessed bishop and martyr Sagar, one of the first disciples of the apostle St. Paul.

At Capua, the birthday of the holy martyrs Marcellus, Castus, AEmilius, and Saturninus.

At Agen, in France, the birthday [into heaven] of St. Faith, virgin and martyr, whose example encouraged blessed Caprasius so much that he happily terminated his combat by martyrdom.

Also, St. Erotis, martyr, who, being inflamed with the love of Christ, triumphed over the violence of the flames.

At Treves, the commemoration of almost numberless martyrs, who were put to death for the faith in various manners, under the governor Rictiovarus, in the persecution of Diocletian.

At Auxerre, St. Romanus, bishop and martyr.

At Oderzo, St. Magnus, bishop, whose body rests at Venice.

At Naples, the decease of St. Mary Frances of the Five Wounds of Our Lord, a nun of the Third Order of St. Francis. On account of her reputation for virtues and the working of miracles, she was placed among the holy virgins by Pius IX.

℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.

℟. Thanks be to God.