Stephen Harding
Cistercian Order) | |
|---|---|
| Feast | 26 January (Solemnity of the Founders of Citeaux) |
| Attributes | Dressed in the Cistercian cowl, with miniature church model, holding abbot's crozier, holding the Carta Caritatis ("Charter of Charity"), a founding document for the Cistercian Order |
Stephen Harding (French: Étienne Harding) (c. 1060 – 28 March 1134) was an
Early life
Stephen was born in south-west England and, as a youth, spent time at the Sherborne Abbey in Dorset. He then travelled to Scotland and France. Afterward, Stephen went on a pilgrimage to Rome. Back in France, Stephen joined a monastery at Molesme, Burgundy region.[1][2]
Founding the Cistercian Order
In 1098, Stephen, along with Robert and Alberic, left Molesme and founded a new monastery in Cîteaux, France. Robert became the first abbot. After Robert was ordered back to Molesme by Pope Urban II, Alberic became abbot and served for nine years until his death.[1][2]
Stephen, therefore, became the third abbot of Cîteaux. At first, under his administration, there was hardship, especially regarding the attainment of new members. Eventually, Bernard of Clairvaux entered the community, bringing with him thirty companions.[1]
With Stephen and Bernard spearheading the Order, many new Cistercian monasteries were founded.[1] In 1119, Stephen received official approbation for the Carta Caritatis (Charter of Charity), an important document for the Cistercian Order, establishing its unifying principles.[3] Many of his policies and decisions were influenced from his time with the Vallombrosians.[4][5]
Stephen Harding served as abbot of Cîteaux for twenty-three years.[1] While no single person is considered the founder of the Cistercian Order, the shape of Cistercian thought and its rapid growth in the 12th century were certainly due in some part to Harding's leadership.[6] Insisting on simplicity in all aspects of monastic life, Stephen encouraged the severity of Cistercian architecture and the simple beauty of the Order's liturgy and music.[7] He was an accomplished scribe; one of his greatest achievements is considered to be the Harding Bible.[8][2] In 1133, he resigned as abbot because of poor eyesight.[9] He died on 28 March 1134.[9]
Legacy
Veneration for Stephen began in the
References
- ^ ISBN 0-8146-2903-2.)
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link - ^ a b c "Saint Stephen Harding | Biography & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 24 March 2024. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
- )
- .
- ^ Lekai, Louis J. (1969). "Motives and Ideals of the Eleventh-Century Monastic Renewal". Cistercian Studies Quarterly. 4: 3–20. Retrieved 21 November 2021 – via German National Library.
- ^ Feiss, Hugh (2009). "Book review of Stercal (2008)". American Benedictine Review. 60 (2): 216–218.
- ^ "Saint Stephen Harding | St Thomas & St Stephen". www.ss-thomas-stephen.org.uk. 30 September 2011. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
- ^ "Manuscript Miniatures: Bible of Stephen Harding". manuscriptminiatures.com. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
- ^ a b Huddleston, Gilbert. "St. Stephen Harding." The Catholic Encyclopedia Vol. 14. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ Martyrologium Romanum (in Latin) (2 ed.). Administrationem Patrimonii Sedis Apostolicae in Civitate Vaticana. 2004. p. 208.
- ^ "Jan 26 – Solemnity of the Founders of Citeaux – New Melleray". Retrieved 19 September 2022.
- ^ Proper Masses for the Use of the Benedictine Confederation. Collegeville, Minnesota: The Liturgical Press. 1975. p. 9.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "St. Stephen Harding". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
Bibliography
- Claudio Stercal, Stephen Harding: A Biographical Sketch and Texts (Trappist, Kentucky: Cistercian Publications, 2008) (Cistercian Studies Series, 226).
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