Saint Bruno of Segni

Sep 082012

18 July

Profile

Born to the Italian nobility. Studied theology at the Benedictine monastery of Saint Pepetuus at Asti, Italy, and at Bologna, Italy. Benedictine, monk. Ordained in 1079, and assigned to a parish at Siena, Italy. Noted for defending orthodox Church wisdom, his knowledge of Scripture, and his teachings on the Blessed Sacrament. Counselor to four popes. Ordained bishop of Segni, Italy in 1080 by Pope Gregory VII. Fought simony and lay investiture. In 1095 he retired to a monastic life at Monte Cassino. Elected abbot in 1107. Following a chastisement of the pope for shirking his duty to others, he was soon ordered back to his diocese, a vocation he fulfilled until his death. Vatican librarian. Cardinal legate, though he declined the cardinalate. Wrote several works on theology.