Robert of Molesne

(c. 1027–1111)

   Order Founder and Saint.

   Robert was born into a noble family in Champagne, France. He joined the abbey of Moutierla- Celle at the age of fifteen. After a short time at St-Michel-de-Tonnerre, he founded a monastery at Molesne which was to be based on the strictest Benedictine principles. However, after a disagreement in 1098, Robert left to found the famous house at Citeaux. This was to become the mother house of the Cistercian Order, and it is remembered as the monastery of bernard of clairvaux in the twelth century. The Cistercians interpret the Rule of St Benedict very austerely, emphasising manual labour, plain living and secluded communal prayer. Robert himself returned to Molesne in 1100.

   J.A. Lefèvre, ‘Saint Robert de Molesne dans l’opinion monastique du XIIe et du XIIIe siècle’, Analecta Bollandiana, lxxiv (1956) [no English translation available];

   L.J. Lekai and S.O. Cist, The White Monks: A History of the Cistercian Order (1953).