Robert of Newminster

Saint Robert of Newminster (1100–1159) was a Priest, Abbot, and a canonized saint of the Roman Catholic Church.

Early life

Robert was born in the district of Craven, near Skipton in North Yorkshire, probably in the village of Gargrave. He studied at the University of Paris, where he is said to have composed a commentary - since lost - on the Psalms. He became a parish priest, returning to serve in his hometown of Gargrave, where he was made rector. He later became a Benedictine at Whitby, joining a band of monks from Saint Mary's Abbey in York. They established a monastery in winter of 1132 in a valley near Skeldale, on land given them by Archbishop Thurston. The first two years were difficult, and the monks struggled in extreme poverty. Initially they lived in a makeshift structure on the banks of the River Skell. But despite the hardships, the monks were known for their holiness, austerity, and dedication to the strict Benedictine way of life. Eventually, their fame brought a new novice, Hugh, Dean of York, who relinquished all his wealth to the community, and allowed for the building of more suitable facilities. Because of the many natural springs in the area, the monastery was called Fountains Abbey.^[1] Fountains Abbey soon became affiliated with the Cistercian reform which had been introduced by St. Bernard, Cistercian Abbot of Clairvaux.^[2]

Cistercian and abbot

St Robert was described as a devout, prayerful, and gentle man. While he is known for being merciful in his judgment of others, and a warm and considerate companion, he was also very zealous regarding his own vows of poverty. He was said to be favored with gifts of prophecy and miracles.^[2] About 1138 he headed the first colony sent out from Fountains and established the Abbey of Newminster near the castle of Ralph de Merlay and his wife, Juliana, daughter of Gospatric II, Earl of Lothian, at Morpeth in Northumberland. Abbot Robert was said to be was favored with the gift of prophecy and miracles. During his abbacy three colonies of monks were sent out to found new monasteries. The monasteries were established at Pipewell (1143), Roche (1147), and Sawley (1148).

Capgrave's life tells that an accusation of misconduct was brought against him by his own monks: St Robert was said to have had an interest towards a woman of the village; so he went abroad (1147–1148), to defend himself before St. Bernard. St Bernard did not doubt St Robert's innocence, since he had received a heavenly sign of his virtuous conduct. Doubt has been cast upon the truth of this story, which may have arisen from a desire to associate the English saint personally with the greatest of the Cistercians.^[3]

Robert ruled and directed the monks at Newminster for 21 years.^[2] As a small monastery of only 17 monks, Newminster Abbey was one of the first to be dissolved, in 1535, by Henry VIII and the site has been privately owned ever since.

Miracles associated with Saint Robert

In one instance, a monk is said to have fallen unhurt from a ladder while working on one of the buildings. His tomb has become a center for pilgrimage. St Robert was a close spiritual friend of the hermit Saint Godric. On the night Robert died, St Godric is said to have seen a vision of Robert's soul, like a ball of fire, being lifted by angels on a pathway of light toward the gates of heaven. As they approached, Godric heard a voice saying, "Enter now my friends."

St Robert is often depicted in church art as an abbot holding a church.

Veneration

His tomb in the church of Newminster became an object of pilgrimage. His feast day is celebrated on June 7, the day of his death.^[3]

Legacy

A number of parishes are dedicated to St. Robert of Newminster including those in Morpeth, Northumberland;^[4] Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne;^[5] Ada, Michigan^[6] and Shorewood, Wisconsin.

References