St. Bruno

Bruno, the founder of the Carthusian order, was borne in Cologne around 1030. Little is known of his childhood or youth. He took advanced studies in Rheims and then returned to Cologne where he became a canon at St. Cunnibert’s, but he soon was recalled to Rheims. From 1057 to 1075, he was in charge of the schools of Rheims and maintained a high standard of excellence, teaching Scripture, theology, and philosophy. In 1080, Bruno and some companions retired from active life and sought prayerful solitude in the Alps at a place called Chartreuse. They built a small monastery. However, a former pupil of Bruno’s became Pope Urban II in 1088 and in 1090 called upon his former teacher to be one of his advisors. Bruno obediently spent time in the papal court and finally convinced the pope to let him and some companions retreat to a small monastery in Italy. Here they built a chapel and separate huts for each monk. On October 6, 1101 Bruno passed to his heavenly reward. Bruno was never formerly canonized, but he has long been venerated as a saint.