Saints of the Day & More

Bruno means " sharp as a shield or metallic armor " (Brunner , German 's armor) . This saint was famous for having founded the religious community more austere and penitent, the Carthusian monks who live in perpetual silence , never eat meat or drink alcohol . Born in Cologne, Germany, in 1030 . From a young age he demonstrated great intellectual qualities , and very special skills to lead others spiritually . And at 27 years was spiritual director of many important people. One of his target was the future Pope Urban II. Ordained a priest he was professor of theology for 18 years in Reims, and Chancellor of the Archbishop , but he died , an unworthy man named Manasseh , had himself elected archbishop of that city, and to their behavior as immoral , Bruno accused him before a meeting of bishops and the Pope dismissed Manasseh. He was offered the post of Archbishop to our saint, but he did not want to accept, because it was thought unworthy of high office. The dismissed in ...

The two priests were companions, both natives of Northumbria, England. According to the example of many at that time, they spent several years as students in the schools of Ireland. Ewald the Black was the more learned of the two, but both were equally renowned for holiness of life. They were apparently acquainted with St. Willibrord, the Apostle of Friesland, and were animated with his zeal for the conversion of the Germans. Some sources number them among the eleven companions of that saint. More probably, however, they set out from England after St. Willibrord's departure, in an attempt to convert their own cousins in Old Saxony. They entered upon their mission about 690. The scene of their labours was the country of the ancient Saxons, now part of Westphalia, and covered by the dioceses of Münster, Osnabrück, and Paderborn. At first the Ewalds took up their abode in the house of the steward of a certain Saxon earl or ealdorman (satrapa). Bede remarks that "the old Saxons ha...