‘In a word, the Cistercian Order is founded upon Alberic as upon a rock.’

Thomas Merton In the Valley of Wormwood p.37

The most striking thing about St. Alberic of Citeaux, from what we know of his life is that of perseverance. His faith and single-mindedness are inspiring. Very few people have even heard of him. Most Catholics know of St. Bernard and many mistakenly think of him as the founder of the Cistercian Order. Very few know of the ‘three companions,’ Robert, Alberic and Stephen whose vision reignited the way of Christian life proposed by St Benedict, and whose perseverance, in times of hardship when nothing seemed to be working out, gave birth to the flourishing of the Cistercian Order.

Alberic first came to light historically when he appeared with a group of hermits in the Forest of Collan in eastern France. These hermits beseeched Pope Gregory VII that Robert, a previous abbot of Saint Michel-de-Tonnerre, be made their superior. The hermits of Collan Woods were looking for a more cenobitic way of life and in living the Rule of St Benedict authentically. The request was granted in 1074 and Robert served as their leader, moving the community to Molesme in the valley of Langres in Burgundy.

The Abbey of Molesme was quickly established with Alberic as its Prior. It attracted numerous wealthy donors and patrons, some becoming monks of the community themselves. Consequently, Molesme became wealthy from its land holdings, eventually leading to a laxity in its observances. Alberic tried to keep to the vision of its founding when Abbot Robert left the community to live, once again, as a hermit. As a consequence of his efforts to maintain a strict following of the Rule, Alberic found himself abused and imprisoned by his fellow monks.

Despite his return, Robert could not reform Molesme. He left once more for the more eremitical life, taking with him Alberic and 20 others who wanted to live by a stricter interpretation of the rule. Renaud, the viscount of Beaune, gave this group a desolate valley south of Dijon. They left the Abbey of Molesme for the swampy woods of Citeaux towards the end of Lent 1098. Eking out an existence there must have been extraordinarily hard, but they managed to build a very basic, wood structured abbey. The monks of Molesme, meanwhile, petitioned Pope Urban II for the return of their abbot. Robert returned and remained there, under obedience to the Pope.

Alberic became the new Abbot of Citeaux. He re-located the community a kilometre to the north on better land. He began work on and saw the completion of a new abbey church. He gained papal approval for the new Order, recognition being granted by Pope Pascal II (finally separating the new community from Molesme and giving it Papal protection). He oversaw the establishment of the new Cistercian Order, but saw little indication of its growth. The new community was not attracting vocations and was in a poor state. Merton citing the Exordium Parvum says ‘…at this time, instead of coming to Citeaux, all the likely candidates for the monastic life were staying as far away from it as they could get, so discouraging was the reputation the monks had acquired by their austerities.’ (In the Valley of Wormwood p.51). Alberic died on 26^th January in the year 1109.

Alberic stood on the rock of his faith. His trust in the call of God on his life was unshakable. As with Moses who never entered the promised land, Alberic never got to see the fruit of his work. He never got to see the flourishing of this new community. That occurred under the leadership of its third abbot, Stephen Harding. Alberic never got to see the arrival of Bernard and his 30 companions in the year 1112.

What also stuck me about Alberic was his devotion to the the Blessed Virgin Mary. During the time when she began to be addressed by the title ‘Our Lady’, Alberic would address her in the more familial term of ‘My Lady.’ The legend goes that Alberic received a vision of his Lady during Matins, who gave him the now famous white Cistercian cowl. The external sign of an inward grace to be clothed and completely enwrapped in prayer, is an inspiring symbol. I feel a kinship with Alberic in his devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary as she has been my guide since I first went to Medjugorje and the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist was revealed to me.

‘It was largely due to St. Alberic’s great devotion to the Mother of God that the Cistercians were the first Order dedicated to her.’ (Merton In the Valley of Wormwood p.50)

St. Alberic, help me on my new journey. Help me to love the brethren. Help me to persevere. Help me to stay close to Our Blessed Mother. As deep calls upon deep in the roaring of the mighty waters; Jesus, help me to enter more fully and clearly into the Father’s love with you and the Holy Spirit to uphold me. Be my guide always. Amen.

Ben Perkins – Br. Alberic

26^th January AD 2024