Saints Library · Teaching and Sharing

St. Aelred of Rievaulx

Abbot

Current Church statusSaint
Feast / commemorationJanuary 12
Remembered asAbbot
BirthplaceHexham
Country / regionKingdom of England
Period1110–1167
Religious familyCistercians

Life and historical setting

Aelred of Rievaulx (1110–1167) is remembered in the Church as abbot. The supplied Catholic source associates this life with Hexham.

Documented offices and forms of service associated with Aelred of Rievaulx include abbot, monk, Catholic priest. The religious family connected with this vocation is Cistercians.

The founding of with just such a concept in mind became part of Aelred of Rievaulx's lasting work. Aelred of Rievaulx served as Abbot of Rievaulx from 1147 until his death.

The enduring witness of Aelred of Rievaulx is especially connected with gospel encounter and discipleship, prayer and contemplation, and pastoral and ecclesial leadership. Dates, offices, and institutions are presented as biographical facts, while later devotional interpretation is kept distinct from the historical outline.

Vocation and witness

These themes were identified from the supplied source record and provide a structured guide to the life.

Gospel encounter and discipleship

The supplied account connects this life directly with Christ, the Gospel, or the apostolic witness.

Prayer and contemplation

Prayer, contemplation, or a disciplined interior life is a significant part of the recorded witness.

Pastoral and ecclesial leadership

The account includes pastoral, monastic, or ecclesial leadership exercised for the good of the Church.

Religious life and community

Consecrated life, community discipline, or the building of a religious family shapes this witness.

Sharing the faith

The source presents teaching and evangelization as service to the Church and future generations.

Spiritual legacy

The enduring witness of Aelred of Rievaulx is especially connected with gospel encounter and discipleship, prayer and contemplation, and pastoral and ecclesial leadership. Dates, offices, and institutions are presented as biographical facts, while later devotional interpretation is kept distinct from the historical outline.

Prayerful reflection

God of holiness, through the witness of Aelred of Rievaulx, strengthen us in patient teaching, evangelization, and the faithful transmission of the Catholic faith. Keep our attention fixed on Jesus Christ, and teach us to answer grace faithfully in the duties, relationships, and needs placed before us. Amen.

Historical and liturgical note

Catalogued feast-day statement; confirm the calendar used by the local Church or religious family.

Dates, offices, and institutions are presented as biographical facts, while later devotional interpretation is kept distinct from the historical outline.

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