Blessed Lambert of Saint-Bertin
Raised at Saint-Bertin, Lambert became abbot in 1095 and undertook a profound reform of his monastery following a period at Cluny. Under his leadership, the community grew from twelve to over one hundred and twenty monks, restoring fervor and the Rule of Saint Benedict. He died in 1125 after having restored the abbey both materially and spiritually.
Contemporaries
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BLESSED LAMBERT,
Formation and elevation to the abbacy
Raised at the Abbey of Saint-Bertin, Lambert studied in France before becoming a teacher, then prior, and finally abbot in 1095.
Lambert was raised from his childhood in the Abbey of Saint-Ber tin. As he showed great aptitude for study, he was sent to attend the various courses then taught in France by the most fa mous m asters; and, upon his return to the monastery, he was tasked with teaching his brothers what he had learned, which he did with great success. He was soon raised to the dignity of prior, but he resigned from this office to devote himself more and more to prayer and study. However, upon the death of John, the first of that name, he was obliged to accept the dignity of abbot and was solemnly blessed, in the year 1095, by Ger ard, Bishop of Thérouanne. H e attended the Council of Clermont that same year.
Material reconstruction of the abbey
Lambert completes the construction work on the abbey church, the dedication of which is celebrated in 1106 by the Bishop of Thérouanne.
From then on, he set to work with activity to continue the constructions begun by his predecessors and he had the consolation of finishing them, so that the dedication of the Church was performed on June 1, 1106, by Saint John, Bishop of Thérouanne, and this church was magnificent in its construction and ornamentation. The monastery was no less remarkable, moreover, and all temporal affairs were put into perfect order.
The Reform and the transition to Cluny
Faced with the relaxation of discipline, Lambert temporarily withdrew to Cluny before returning to impose a strict reform at Saint-Bertin.
But this was only the beginning and the lesser part of the Reform that the worthy abbot was contemplating. The spirit of poverty had disappeared from the monastery, vanity had crept in, and obedience was no longer known; a heroic remedy was needed. Seeing that his most pressing exhortations were without effect, Lambert left the abbey, in agreement with Saint John of Thérouanne, and went to shut himself away at Cluny, where he made his profession as a simple monk. Soon the religious of Saint-Bertin returned to better sentiments: they insistently asked for their worthy abbot back, who consented to return to the monastery and brought with him religious full of fervor. However, the good resolutions did not persevere: there were tensions and struggles, it was even necessary to have recourse to the secular arm and expel the most obstinate; finally, the Reform was established in a serious and lasting manner, and soon everyone flocked to live this life of holiness. Where one would have recently barely found twelve monks, says an ancient author on this subject, one soon counted more than one hundred and twenty.
Legacy and end of life
Lambert died in 1125 after having restored monastic life under the Rule of Saint Benedict, succeeding the ancient Columbanian tradition.
Lambert enjoyed his work for a fairly large number of years, and he had the consolation of establishing the Reform in other religious houses in the vicinity. He died in 1125, after having restored and, so to speak, founded anew this powerful monastery, which from then on, under the Rul e of Saint Benedict, would continue to lead a life full of vigor and energy until the end of the 18th century, just as previously, and with various periods of laxity and fervor, it had produced abundant results for the good of religion for five centuries under the Rule of Saint Columbanus.
Abbot Van Drival, Canon of Arras, *Hagiologie diocésaine*.
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Frequently asked questions about Blessed Lambert of Saint-Bertin
Who was Blessed Lambert of Saint-Bertin?
Raised at Saint-Bertin, Lambert became abbot in 1095 and undertook a profound reform of his monastery following a period at Cluny. Under his leadership, the community grew from twelve to over one hundred and twenty monks, restoring fervor and the Rule of Saint Benedict. He died in 1125 after having restored the abbey both materially and spiritually.
What is Blessed Lambert of Saint-Bertin the patron saint of?
Patronage of Blessed Lambert of Saint-Bertin: Saint-Bertin Abbey.
Which saints were contemporaries of Blessed Lambert of Saint-Bertin?
Contemporaries include: Saint Norbert of Magdeburg, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Saint Stephen of Hungary and Saint Arthaud of Belley.
When did Blessed Lambert of Saint-Bertin die?
Blessed Lambert of Saint-Bertin died around 1125.
Annexes & related entities
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Key Events
- Education at Saint-Bertin Abbey
- Elevation to the dignity of prior
- Election as abbot in 1095
- Participation in the Council of Clermont in 1095
- Dedication of the magnificent church on June 1, 1106
- Temporary withdrawal to Cluny to initiate a reform
- Restoration of discipline and increase to over one hundred and twenty monks
- Died in 1125