Saint Robert of Newminster

Saint Robert of Newminster, also known as Robert of Morpeth, was born around the year 1100 in Gargrave, a village in the Craven district of Yorkshire county, England. Little is known about his early life and education, but it is believed that he studied at the prestigious University of Paris. Robert's religious vocation led him to become a parish priest at Gargrave and later a Benedictine monk at Whitby Abbey, located in Whitby, England. However, with the permission of his abbot, he joined the founders of the Cistercian monastery of Fountains Abbey in 1132. Embracing the Cistercian way of life, which emphasized simplicity, austerity, and manual labor, Robert became known for his dedication and piety. In 1138, Robert was chosen to lead the first Cistercian colony sent from Fountains Abbey. With a group of fellow monks, he established the abbey of Newminster near the castle of Ralph de Merlay. This marked the beginning of a series of Cistercian foundations that Robert initiated. He went on to establish monasteries in Morpeth, England in 1143, Pipewell, England in 1143, Roche, Cornwall in 1147, and Sawley, Lancashire, England in 1148. These foundations became centers of prayer, work, and spiritual formation, attracting many men seeking a more contemplative and disciplined way of life. Saint Robert was a close friend of Saint Godric of Finchale, known for his own sanctity and ascetic practices. Robert was reputed to have had supernatural gifts and experiences, including visions and encounters with demons. However, these accounts should be understood in the context of the medieval understanding of spirituality and the spiritual warfare that was believed to exist. One biography of Saint Robert claims that he was accused by his own monks of sexual misconduct with a local woman and traveled abroad, around 1147-1148, to defend himself before Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, a renowned theologian and Cistercian reformer. However, there is little substantial evidence to support this story, and it seems to have been propagated by individuals who wished to highlight Robert's alleged acquittal by Saint Bernard. Legend also recounts an incident during Lent when Saint Robert was fasting rigorously. A brother monk, concerned about his extreme asceticism, offered him a buttered oatcake. However, fearing the sin of gluttony, Robert requested that it be given to the poor. Astonishingly, a beautiful stranger appeared at the gate, accepting the cake and dish. When the incident was being explained to the abbot, the dish suddenly reappeared on the table before him. This incident was interpreted by the monks as an encounter with an angel. Saint Robert of Newminster died on June 7, 1159, at Newminster Abbey from natural causes. He was initially buried at Newminster Abbey but was later entombed in the local church. It is said that Saint Godric of Finchale witnessed Saint Robert's soul ascending to heaven as a ball of fire, attesting to his holiness. Miracles were reported at Saint Robert's tomb, and he became venerated as a saint by the local community. However, he hasn't been officially recognized as a patron saint. On June 7th each year, the Catholic Church commemorates his feast day, honoring his saintly life and the contributions he made in founding Cistercian houses throughout England. Saint Robert of Newminster is often represented in art as an abbot holding a church, symbolizing his pioneering work in founding Cistercian establishments. Although his life was relatively unknown and obscure in many respects, his founding of numerous monasteries and his commitment to the monastic life left a lasting impact on the spiritual landscape of medieval England.