St. Romuald
Feast Day: June 19
“Sit in your cell as in paradise. Put the whole world behind you and forget it. Watch your thoughts like a good fisherman watching for fish.”
—St. Romuald
St. Romuald was a hermit, abbot, and founder of the Camaldolese Order, known for his intense life of prayer and radical solitude. Born into nobility, he left behind wealth and comfort to seek God in silence and simplicity. Through his life, he calls the Church back to contemplation, penance, and the hidden riches of the desert.
A Crisis that Led to Conversion
Romuald was born around the year 951 in Ravenna, Italy, into a noble family. As a young man, he lived a worldly life, enjoying the privileges of his station. But everything changed when he witnessed his father kill a man in a duel. Deeply shaken and seeking penance, Romuald entered a Benedictine monastery near Ravenna.
He soon found monastic life too relaxed and began seeking greater solitude and discipline. After a time of wandering and learning under various hermits, Romuald began to develop a new form of monastic life that blended the silence of hermits with the support of community.
Founder of the Camaldolese Order
Romuald founded the Camaldolese Order around the year 1012. His vision was a return to the spirit of the desert fathers—a life of prayer, fasting, and deep union with God. The Camaldolese hermits lived in individual cells but came together for liturgical prayer and support.
Romuald himself continued to live in solitude for much of his life, yet his holiness drew many disciples. He reformed monasteries, guided souls, and left a lasting mark on Western monasticism.
A Life Hidden in God
Despite his wide influence, Romuald lived most of his life in obscurity. He often faced misunderstanding and even opposition, but he remained steadfast in his pursuit of God. He died around 1027 at the hermitage of Val di Castro.
St. Romuald’s rule for hermits emphasizes the inner life—silence, watchfulness, humility, and constant prayer. His life reminds us that sanctity often flourishes in hidden places.
Legacy and Inspiration
St. Romuald shows us that spiritual renewal begins in the heart, not in grand movements or public acclaim. His life of silence and detachment speaks powerfully in today’s noisy world. He reminds us to be still, to examine our thoughts, and to seek God above all else.
