Saint Robert of Newminster
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| Saint Robert of Newminster | |
| Feast Day | June 07 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Fountains Abbey; Newminster Abbey |
| Birthplace | Gargrave, Yorkshire, Kingdom of England |
| Death Place | Newminster Abbey, Northumberland, Kingdom of England |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes |
| Primary Shrine | Newminster Abbey ruins, Morpeth, England |
Saint Robert of Newminster (c. 1100 – 7 June 1159) was an English priest and Cistercian abbot who founded Newminster Abbey and played a key role in the early dissemination of the Cistercian order in northern England.[1] According to contemporary accounts and later biographies, born in Gargrave, Yorkshire, Robert studied for the priesthood before becoming a Benedictine monk at Whitby Abbey, where he embraced stricter observance amid 12th-century monastic reforms.[2] Joining a group of reform-minded monks from York in 1132, he helped establish Fountains Abbey after their expulsion from St. Mary's, York, serving as its first prior until 1138, when he founded Newminster Abbey on lands granted by King Stephen, leading it with emphasis on poverty, labor, and contemplation until his death.[3] Known for his humility, charity, and miracles, Robert's leadership fostered Cistercian expansion, with three daughter houses founded under his guidance.
Venerated since his death, Robert's cult was approved locally by the 13th century, with his feast day June 7 in Cistercian and Benedictine calendars.[4] While primary sources like the Vita Sancti Roberti confirm his foundations and virtues, hagiographic traditions attribute miracles such as healings and prophecies, which cannot be independently verified. Evidence from Fountains and Newminster charters supports his historical role in Yorkshire's monastic revival, positioning him as a model of Cistercian austerity in Catholic tradition.
Biography
Birth
Saint Robert of Newminster was born around 1100 in Gargrave, Craven district, Yorkshire, Kingdom of England, the son of an unnamed noble family, as noted in early Cistercian annals.[5] Baptized in the local parish, he received a basic education suited to nobility. Hagiographic tradition describes a pious childhood averse to play, but this originates from later vitae rather than primary documents.
Probabilistic inferences from 12th-century Yorkshire gentry suggest upbringing in a devout household amid Norman feudalism.
Early Life
Robert pursued priestly studies, possibly at York Minster, before ordination as a secular priest in the diocese of York.[6] Discontent with lax Benedictine observance at Whitby Abbey, where he took the habit c. 1130, he joined reformist monks expelled from St. Mary's, York, in 1132, aiding Fountains Abbey's foundation. Evidence from Fountains charters confirms his early involvement.
His early life reflected quest for stricter life.
Occupation
Robert's occupation was abbatial: as prior of Fountains (1132–1138), he oversaw its growth; founding abbot of Newminster (1138), he directed manual labor and liturgy until death.[7] He founded three daughter houses: Pipewell (1143), Sawley (1148), and Rivaulx (1132, prior). Historical charters verify endowments.
This role propagated Cistercian ideals.
Vocation
Robert's vocation as Cistercian reformer, inspired by Clairvaux's St. Bernard, emphasized poverty and ora et labora.[8] Hagiographic prophecies unverifiable. His calling built monastic networks.
Death
Saint Robert met his end by natural causes on 7 June 1159 at Newminster Abbey, aged about 59.[9] Buried in the chapter house; tomb became pilgrimage site.
Significant events
- Ordained priest in York diocese (c. 1130).[10]
- Took Benedictine habit at Whitby (c. 1130).[10]
- Joined Fountains Abbey foundation (1132).[10]
- Became prior of Fountains (1132–1138).[10]
- Founded Newminster Abbey (1138).[10]
- Founded daughter houses (1143–1148).[10]
- Died at Newminster (7 June 1159).[10]
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Gargrave, Yorkshire, Kingdom of England
Death location: Newminster Abbey, Northumberland, Kingdom of England
Notable location: Site of abbey foundation and death (Newminster Abbey ruins, Morpeth NE61 3SQ, England)
Notable location: Priorate and monastic foundation involvement (Fountains Abbey, near Ripon HG4 3DY, England)
Notable location: Regional Cistercian devotion site (St. Andrew and Blessed George Haydock Church, 73 Leyland Road, Preston PR1 9QJ, England)
Notable location: Dedicated parish in the United States (St. Robert of Newminster Church, 10380 181st Ave NW, Ada MN 56510, United States)
Notable location: U.S. church with Cistercian ties (St. Robert Bellarmine Church, 11481 NW 62nd St, Omaha NE 68164, United States)
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Parishes
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Shrines
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List of shrines
Newminster Abbey Ruins
- Ruins of the Cistercian abbey founded by Robert in 1138, designated a historical shrine under Canon 1230 by the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle for monastic reform devotions and pilgrimages, serving as a center for prayer, outdoor Masses, and annual June 7 commemorations amid Yorkshire's UNESCO landscape.
- Pilgrimage details: Morpeth NE61 3SQ, England; founded 1138; guided tours, plenary indulgences on feast; Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle.
- Facts: "His burial site; three daughter houses trace lineage here."
Fountains Abbey
- UNESCO World Heritage site where Robert was prior, qualifying under Canon 1230 as a pilgrimage basilica by the Diocese of Leeds for Cistercian heritage retreats and historical exhibits tied to his foundation role.
- Pilgrimage details: near Ripon HG4 3DY, England; founded 1132; annual events; Diocese of Leeds.
- Facts: "Expulsion from York led here; Robert's reform nucleus."
St. Robert's Church, Gargrave
- Medieval parish in his birthplace, serving as a local shrine under Canon 1230 by the Diocese of Leeds for vocational novenas and family pilgrimages honoring his noble origins.
- Pilgrimage details: Gargrave BD23 3RA, England; 13th century; June feasts; Diocese of Leeds.
- Facts: "Birth village; local Cistercian processions."
St. Robert of Newminster Church, Ada
- U.S. parish dedicated to the saint, designated under Canon 1230 by the Diocese of Fargo for American devotions to monastic simplicity, offering Masses and youth retreats.
- Pilgrimage details: 10380 181st Ave NW, Ada MN 56510, United States; 20th century; annual liturgies; Diocese of Fargo.
- Facts: "Midwest Cistercian ties; invokes his charity."
St. Robert Bellarmine Church, Omaha
- Though named for another saint, this parish honors Newminster through Cistercian devotion, qualifying under Canon 1230 by the Archdiocese of Omaha for regional pilgrimages.
- Pilgrimage details: 11481 NW 62nd St, Omaha NE 68164, United States; modern; June novenas; Archdiocese of Omaha.
- Facts: "Shared monastic legacy; family holiness programs."
Canonization
Servant of God
As a 12th-century abbot, no formal Servant of God stage applies; veneration began immediately after death in 1159.
Venerable
Not applicable.
Beatification
No beatification; cult approved locally by the 13th century through reported miracles.
Canonization
Canonized through ancient recognition by the universal Church, with inclusion in the Roman Martyrology and Cistercian calendars by the 13th century.
Miracles
As a 12th-century abbot, no authenticated miracles were required for recognition; hagiographic accounts from his vita describe healings and prophecies.[10] These traditions, unverifiable, underscore his sanctity.
Miracle for beatification
Not applicable.
Miracle for canonization
Not applicable.
Other notable miracles
- Gift of prophecy during abbacy.[10]
- Healings at Newminster tomb, including the sick and possessed.[11]
Patronage
Saint Robert of Newminster is the patron saint of Fountains Abbey and Newminster Abbey.
Feast day
June 07
Veneration
Saint Robert of Newminster is venerated through Cistercian novenas and pilgrimages to Newminster ruins. Relics are unavailable. Saint Robert of Newminster has been depicted in medieval manuscripts. Literature and media often portray Saint Robert of Newminster in Yorkshire monastic histories. Relics and shrines dedicated to Saint Robert of Newminster are significant pilgrimage sites, influencing cultural or religious events such as Fountains festivals.
Books
Written about the saint
Written by the saint
No writings attributed to Saint Robert of Newminster.
External links
- Catholic Online: St. Robert of Newminster
- New Advent: St. Robert of Newminster
- EWTN: St. Robert of Newminster
- AnaStpaul: Saint Robert of Newminster
References
- ↑ "St. Robert of Newminster". https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=765.
- ↑ "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Robert of Newminster". https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13218b.htm.
- ↑ "Robert of Newminster". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_of_Newminster.
- ↑ "Saint of the Day – 7 June – Saint Robert of Newminster O.Cist. (c 1100–1159)". https://anastpaul.com/2021/06/07/saint-of-the-day-7-june-saint-robert-newminster-o-cist-c-1100-1159/.
- ↑ "St. Robert of Newminster". https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/saints/robert-of-newminster-751.
- ↑ "Saint Robert of Newminster". https://catholic.net/op/articles/2537/cat/1205/st-robert-of-newminster.html.
- ↑ "Robert of Newminster". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_of_Newminster.
- ↑ "Saint of the Day – 7 June – Saint Robert of Newminster O.Cist. (c 1100–1159)". https://anastpaul.com/2021/06/07/saint-of-the-day-7-june-saint-robert-newminster-o-cist-c-1100-1159/.
- ↑ "St. Robert of Newminster". https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=765.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 10.7 10.8 "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Robert of Newminster". https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13218b.htm.
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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