Saint Romuald

"Better to pray one psalm with devotion and compunction than a hundred with distraction."
- Saint Romuald (950 - 1027)

Today is the feast day of Saint Romuald. Romuald was born at Ravenna, Italy, around the year 950. Though he had always desired virtue and sanctity, he wasted the early part of his life in the service of the world and its pleasures. Then, when his father wished him to be present at a duel he was fighting, Romuald saw his father kill his enemy in the duel. The killing made such an impression upon Romuald that he decided to expiate it for forty days, as though he had committed the crime. In order to do this, Romuald retired to a Benedictine monastery of Saint Apollinare, near Ravenna, where he became the Abbot. He founded several monasteries, and also laid the foundations for the Order of the Camaldoli in Tuscany. Romuald was assailed by many temptations in the beginning of his spiritual life, but over time he conquered them through vigilance and prayer. Attempts were made on Romuald's life more than once as well, but God kept him safe. He also became the victim of calumny, which he bore in patience and silence. As he got older, Romuald increased his austerities instead of decreasing them. On June 19, 1027 (or around that time), Romuald died in the monastery of Castro, near Ancona, which he had founded. 

Saint Romuald, pray for us!

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Quote From, Picture Of, And Information About Saint Romuald Taken From:

http://catholicfire.blogspot.com/2008/06/saint-of-day-st-romuald-abbot.html

http://365rosaries.blogspot.com/2011/06/june-19-saint-romuald.html

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=406

http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saintofday/