ST STEPHEN HARDING, ABBOT - 28 MARCH

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN MARCH

Saints celebrated on the 28th of March

WELCOME!

SAINT STEPHEN HARDING, ABBOT 

Saint Stephen Harding, the third Abbot of Cîteaux, was born at Sherborne in Dorsetshire, England, about the middle of the eleventh century; he died March 28, 1134. 

THE NEW FOUNDATION

He received his early education in the monastery of Sherborne and afterwards studied in Paris and Rome. On returning from the latter city he stopped at the monastery of Molesme and, being much impressed by the holiness of Saint Robert, the abbot, joined that community. Here he practised great austerities, became one of Saint Robert’s chief supporters and was one of the band of twenty-one monks who, by authority of Hugh, Archbishop of Lyon, retired to Cîteaux to institute a reform in the new foundation there. 

HE INSISTED ON STRICT OBSERVANCE

When Saint Robert was recalled to Molesme (1099), Stephen became prior of Cîteaux under Alberic, the new abbot. On Alberic’s death (1110) Stephen, who was absent from the monastery at the time, was elected abbot. The number of monks was now very reduced, as no new members had come to fill the places of those who had died. Stephen, however, insisted on retaining the strict observance originally instituted and, having offended the Duke of Burgundy, Cîteaux’s great patron, by forbidding him or his family to enter the cloister, was even forced to beg alms from door to door. 

ST BERNARD TURNED UP

It seemed as if the foundation were doomed to die out when (1112) Saint Bernard with thirty companions joined the community. This proved the beginning of extraordinary prosperity. The next year Stephen founded his first colony at La Ferté, and before is death he had established thirteen monasteries in all.

AN EXCEPTIONAL ORGANISER

His powers as an organiser were exceptional, he instituted the system of general chapters and regular visitations and, to ensure uniformity in all his foundations, drew up the famous “Charter of Charity” or collection of statutes for the government of all monasteries united to Cîteaux, which was approved by Pope Callistus II. in 1119. In 1133 Stephen, being now old, infirm, and almost blind, resigned the post of abbot, designating as his successor Robert de Monte, who was accordingly elected by the monks. The saint’s choice, however, proved unfortunate and the new abbot only held office for two years.

HIS HOLY DEATH AND FEAST DAY

Stephen was buried in the tomb of Alberic, his predecessor, in the cloister of Cîteaux. In the Roman calendar his feast is April 17, but the Cistercians themselves keep it on July 15, with an octave, regarding him as the true founder of the order. Besides the “Carta Caritatis” he is commonly credited with the authorship of the “Exordium Cisterciencis cenobii”, which however may not be his. Two of his sermons are preserved and also two letters (Nos. 45 and 49) in the “Epp. S. Bernardi”.

Source: Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913

His feast is variously given as March 28, April 17, and January 26, which is the day of the joint commemoration with Robert of Molesme and Alberic, the first two abbots of Cîteaux.

PRAYER:

O God, who gladden us each year by the feast of Saint Stephen, graciously grant that, as we rejoice in his merits, we may be inspired by his example. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.