Image: Saint Romuald

June 19 is the optional memorial of Saint Romuald, abbot and founder of the Camaldolese Benedictines –one of the Italian branches of the Benedictines. He was born around 950 in Ravenna, Italy of a noble family and died on June 19, 1027 in Val-di-Castro, Italy.

As a youth, Saint Romuald witnessed his father kill a relative in a duel. Horrified, he fled to the Benedictine monastery of St. Apollinare, near Ravenna to seek solace. There he served as abbot from 996 to 999.

Saint Romuald longed to give his life to Christ as a martyr and repeatedly tried to preach the gospel in Hungary. However, he became ill each time he set out.

The writings of the Desert Fathers inspired Saint Romuald to travel throughout Italy, reforming monasteries and establishing hermitages. For thirty years, he performed this work, thus reviving the ancient tradition of solitary prayer.

Saint Romuald’s own father eventually became a monk in one of his monasteries; when he later wavered in his vows, his son’s encouragement helped him remain faithful. The last fourteen years of Romuald’s life were spent in seclusion at Mount Sitria, Bifolco, and Val di Castro. Saint Romuald died in 1027, and was canonized in 1595.

Like all the saints, Romuald fought a lifelong battle against the assaults of devils and men. In the beginning of his spiritual life he experienced numerous temptations, which he conquered by vigilance and prayer. More than one attempt was made on his life, but Divine Providence enabled him to escape from the danger. Like many servants of God, he also became the victim of calumny, which he bore in patience and silence. In his old age, he increased his austerities instead of diminishing them.

Saint Romuald Quotes

“Better to pray one psalm with devotion and compunction than a hundred with distraction.”

“Oh, my sweet Jesus! God of my heart! Delight of pure souls! The object of all my desires!”

COLLECT PRAYER
O God, who through Saint Romuald renewed the manner of life of hermits in your Church, grant that, denying ourselves and following Christ, we may merit to reach the heavenly realms on high. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

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