Bruno of Cologne

(Cologne, c. 1030 – Serra San Bruno, 6 October 1101), the founder of the Carthusian Order, personally founded the order's first two communities. He was a celebrated teacher at Reims, and a close advisor of his former pupil, Pope Urban II.

He was a lecturer in theology at the cathedral school at St. Cunibert's, Cologne. He subsequently left this post and, along with a few of his friends, became a hermit in the mountainous land of the Chartreuse. From this experience grew the Order of the Carthusians, which emphasized penance, poverty, solitude and contemplation.

In our materialistic age, it is hard for many to fathom giving one's life to prayer and contemplation. However, as believers in Christ, we realize our destiny is eternal, not temporal.


Propers for Bruno of Cologne - Monastic and Confessor

The Collect.

O ALMIGHTY God, who hast called us to faith in thee, and hast compassed us about with so great a cloud of witnesses; Grant that we, encouraged by the good examples of thy Saints, and especially of thy servant Bruno, may persevere in running the race that is set before us, until at length, through thy mercy, we with them attain to thine eternal joy; through him who is the author and finisher of our faith, thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


The Epistle - Ecclesiasticus 31:8-11

Blessed is the man that is found without blemish: and hath not gone after gold. Who is he? and we will call him blessed: for wonderful things hath he done among his people. Who hath been tried thereby and found perfect? Then let him glory. Who might offend and hath not offended? or done evil, and hath not done it? His goods shall be established, and the congregation shall declare his alms.


The Gospel - St. Luke 12:35-40

Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.


Reference and Resources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruno_of_Cologne
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03014b.htm
http://www.episcopalnet.org/Kalendars/OctoberSaints.html#anchor263175

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