12th century

Blessed Vital

Hermit

Death
1119 (naturelle)
Categories
solitary , monk

Born near Bayeux, Blessed Vital was a hermit who collaborated with Robert of Arbrissel before retiring to the forest of Savigny in Normandy. He founded a flourishing monastery there that later joined the Cistercian Order. He died in 1119, leaving behind a significant monastic community.

Guided reading

4 reading sections

BLESSED VITAL, HERMIT (1119).

Life 01 / 04

Introduction and eremitic vocation

Vital is presented as one of the many solitaries who populated the French forests, at the origin of the foundation of numerous monasteries.

Blessed Vital was on Le bienheureux Vital Hermit and founder of the Abbey of Savigny in the 12th century. e of those many solitaries whom the breath of God once sowed in the forests of our France, a precious seed that gave birth to almost all of our ancient monasteries.

Foundation 02 / 04

Foundation of the Abbey of Savigny

After collaborating with Robert of Arbrissel, Vital founded a monastery in the forest of Savigny, which would later join the Cistercian Order.

After having shared in the apostolic labors of R obert of Arbrissel, Robert d'Arbrisselle Itinerant preacher and collaborator of Vital. he withdrew into the fo rest of Savigny, forêt de Savigny Site of eremitic retreat and monastic foundation. in N ormandy, Normandie Region where a portion of the relics was transported after the Revolution. and it was there that, upon dying, he left behind, in place of his solitary mound, a flourishing monastère florissant Abbey founded by Vital, which became the head of an order. monastery, which united itself a littl e later with the Ordre de Cîteaux Monastic order to which Bertrand and the Abbey of Grandselve belong. great Order of Cîteaux.

Life 03 / 04

Origins and passing

Born near Bayeux, the Blessed Vital passed away in 1119.

He was born in Thiercavill Thiercaville Birthplace of Vital. e, near Ba yeux. Bayeux Birthplace of the saint. He departed this world in 1119.

Source 04 / 04

Supplementary Sources

The text refers to a supplement for further details regarding his cult and relics.

See the Supplement for more complete details on his life, his cult, and his relics.

Official source Les Petits Bollandistes, by Mgr Paul GUÉRIN, chamberlain to His Holiness Pius IX.