ST WILLIAM OF SAINT-BÉNIGNE, ABBOT - 1 JANUARY

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN JANUARY

Saints celebrated on the 1st of January

WELCOME!

SAINT WILLIAM OF SAINT-BÉNIGNE, ABBOT

Saint William was born in Isola S. Giulio d'Orta, Novara, Italy, 962, the son of Robert, count of Volpiano. His education and formation took place at the Benedictine monastery of San Genuario at Locedio, near Vercelli, where he was also professed. William studied at Vercelli and at Pavia, and in 987 met Abbot Majolus of Cluny, with whom he returned to Cluny. 

In 988 Majolus entrusted him with the reform of Saint-Saurin, Avignon, and in 989 with the reform of the Abbey of Saint-Bénigne [Saint Benigne] of Dijon. In 990 the community of Saint-Bénigne elected him abbot; at the same time he was ordained priest by Bruno, bishop of Dijon.

An ardent proponent of the Cluniac reform, William founded (1001-1003) the Abbey of Fruttuaria in Lombardy with the help of his brothers and of his uncle, King Arduin of Italy. This became a centre of Cluniac influence in northern Italy. The reforms of Fruttuaria were adopted at Siegburg and Sankt Blasien

in the mid-11th century and spread from there into Germany. 

In 1001 Richard II of Normandy replaced the secular canons of La Trinité Fécamp with monks from Dijon, and Fécamp became a centre for monastic reform in Normandy. Among other monasteries there, William reformed Jumièges and Mont Saint-Michel. The observance of Dijon was introduced into Poland by Anastasius (or Astrik) of Hungary, a disciple of Bishop Adalbert of Prague, who became first abbot of Meseritz in 996-997. 

By the time of his death William ruled 40 monasteries, and in all the houses reformed by him he had attempted to establish a tradition of learning. He also promoted the spread of Romanesque architecture in France, and rebuilt the abbey church of Saint-Bénigne. 

William died at the Abbey of Fécamp on January 1, 1031. 

Source: https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/william-saint-benigne-dijon-st

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint William may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. 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.