Son of a Christian mother and a pagan duke, Robert distinguished himself from childhood by his exceptional charity towards the poor. After a pilgrimage to Rome and a life dedicated to serving the sick and building churches, he died at the age of twenty during the reign of Louis the Pious. His life was recounted by Saint Hildegard of Bingen.
Guided reading
6 reading sections
S. ROBERT, CONFESSOR IN THE DIOCESE OF MAINZ (9th c.).
Origins and family
Robert was born to a Christian mother, Bertha, and a pagan duke named Robolaus, on lands located near Bingen.
Saint Robert's mater nal grandfat saint Robert 9th-century confessor and saint, son of Saint Bertha. her was originally from Lorraine and held rich possessions near Bingen, where the Nahe flows into the Rhine, below Mainz. He lived during the time of Charlemagne and was considered among the princes of that era; he married his daughter Bertha, the mothe Berthe Mother of Saint Robert, known for her piety and charity. r of our Saint, to a pagan duke named Robolaus, a man of Robolaus Pagan duke and father of Saint Robert. coarse character and poor conduct. Bertha received as a dowry the estates that her father possessed on the Rhine.
Childhood and education
Fatherless at three years old, Robert manifested from a young age a great piety and an early desire for instruction.
Robert was only three years old when his father died in a battle against the Christians. Bertha spent the rest of her days in perfect continence, and devoted all her maternal care to her young son, who had received many gifts of grace, and who, at the age of seven, asked of his own accord to be instructed in the sciences.
Charity towards the poor
The young Robert distinguished himself by his compassion, bringing indigent children to his mother and prioritizing direct almsgiving over the construction of buildings.
From that time on, the most tender charity towards the poor was observed in him: when he met indigent children, he would bring them to his mother, saying: "Mother, here are your children!" and then Bertha, welcoming them with kindness, would reply: "My son, here are your brothers."
Another trait of the pious child's life also deserves to be cited. He was only twelve years old when Bertha shared with him her plan to build a church in honor of God. "Do not do that, Mother," Robert replied, "let us first observe the words of the Holy Spirit; for the Prophet says: Share your bread with the hungry, and bring the poor and those who have nowhere to stay into your house. When you see a naked man, clothe him; and do not despise your own flesh."
The mother, touched by these words, built several houses for the poor and the infirm.
Vocation and pilgrimage
After serving the sick, he made a pilgrimage to Rome to the tombs of the Apostles before returning to his mother.
He devoted himself for three years to the service of the unfortunate and the sick; he washed the feet of the poor and joyfully performed the lowliest tasks. After this, he resolved to leave his father's house, to renounce all temporal goods, and to dedicate himself, following the example of Saint Alexis, to saint Alexis Saint cited as a model of renunciation for Robert. the service of the Lord in foreign lands.
His mother, who loved him tenderly, fearing that her son, at such a tender age, might fall into the snares of the world and the enemy of mankind, used prayers and tears to dissuade him from his plan, and begged him to offer the sacrifice of his heart to God without separating himself from her. She did, however, grant him permission to make a pilgrimage to the tombs of the holy Apostles, where he indeed stayed for some time, engaging in fervent prayers and austere penances.
Death and cult
Robert died at the age of twenty during the reign of Louis the Pious and was buried at Mount Robert, where a convent was erected.
After his return to his pious mother, he spent a few more years in the exercise of all virtues; he built several churches and died holily at the age of twenty, during the reign of Louis the Pious. His body rested next to Louis le Débonnaire King of the Franks who made Aldric his advisor and commander of the palace. that of his mother, in the convent for women raised in his honor on Mount Robert (Rupert's-berg), near Bingen, on the left bank of Mont-Robert (Rupert's-bergé) Site of the convent and the saint's burial place. the Nahe.
Hagiographic sources
The saint's life was documented by Saint Hildegard and transmitted by various historians and Jesuits throughout the centuries.
Taken from Renz and Weiss, p. vi, p. 459. See the Life of the Saint, wri tten by Saint Hil sainte Hildegarde German saint and mystic, friend of Elisabeth. degard. This Life was published by the Jesuit Basée, from a manuscript in the Mainz library, by Nicolas Serratus, in t. Rerum Mogunt., c. 35; translated into German by Jacques Kobel, secretary of the city of Oppenheim, on the Rhine, four leagues above Mainz, in 1524. See Trithemius, de scriptor. excl. in Chron. Spanheim, ad ann. 1149, and in Chron. Hirsenplend., ad ann. 1150; Henschoulus, t. iii May, p. 503; Johannis, Rerum Mogunt., t. i, p. 106, c. 83, and the Proprium Mogunt., ad May 15. — Godescard, Brussels edition.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Death of his father Robolaus when he was three years old
- Began his education at the age of seven
- Consecration to the service of the poor and the sick for three years
- Pilgrimage to the tombs of the holy Apostles in Rome
- Construction of several churches
- Early death at the age of twenty
Quotes
-
Mother, behold your children!
Words of the child Robert presenting the destitute to his mother