Venerable Guigo
Prior of the Grande Chartreuse in the 12th century, Guigues was the author of the first statutes of the Order of Saint Bruno. Under his leadership, the order experienced major expansion with numerous foundations and the reconstruction of the monastery after an avalanche. A friend of Saint Bernard and Saint Hugh of Grenoble, he left behind esteemed spiritual and historical writings.
Contemporaries
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Guided reading
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GUIGUES THE VENERABLE,
Origins and Vocation
Coming from the nobility of the diocese of Valence, Guigues renounced a promising ecclesiastical career to enter the Order of Saint Bruno.
Guigues was born in a village in the diocese of Valence, named Saint-Rom ain-de-Château. His fat her, who was its Lord, occupied a distinguished rank in the nobility of the region; he had him raised with great care and destined him early on for ecclesiastical dignities: a brilliant future opened before the young man; but Guigues had as much virtue as talent. He renounced honors and entered the Order of Saint Bruno. Guigues was only twenty-six yea rs old when the votes of his brothers conferred upon him the government of the Grande Chartreuse. His reputatio n for holiness at tracted so many disciples that the narrow enclosure of the monastery could not receive them all. It was then that we saw the establishment of the Charterhouses of Portes, in the diocese of Belley; of Esconges or Rivesli, in Dauphiné; of Durbon, in the diocese of Gap; of Silve-Bénite, in the diocese of Vienne; of Meyrié, in the diocese of Lyon; of Mont-Dieu, in that of Reims, etc.
Expansion of the Order
Having become Prior of the Grande Chartreuse at 26, Guigues oversaw the foundation of numerous monasteries throughout France due to the influx of disciples.
The management of these various foundations did not prevent him from watching over the spiritual and temporal interests of the Gr ande Chartr euse. Saint Bruno had only given his rule verbally; Guigues took care to write it down in the form of statutes. He also had the cloistral buildings rebuilt, which had been almost entirely engulfed by an avalan che.
Legislation and reconstruction
Guigues drafted the first written statutes of the order and had the monastery of the Grande-Chartreuse rebuilt after a destructive avalanche.
The monastery, which was at the place where the chapel of the Virgin is now, was rebuilt through the care of the zealous prior, on the site it still occupies today.
Relationships and literary works
Close to Saint Bernard and Saint Hugh of Grenoble, he wrote the life of the latter by order of the Pope and composed meditations.
Guigues attracted not only the admiration of his many religious, but also that of all the holy figures of his century.
Saint Bernard, a mong others, professed a great veneration for him. Peter the Venerable, Abbot of Cluny, sha red the sentiments of Saint Bernard for their common friend. But no one was as closely linked to him as Saint Hugh, Bishop of Grenoble.
G uigues wrote the history of the bishop by order of Pope Innocent II. We a lso have from him highly estee med meditations. Finally, after a life full of merits and good works, this blessed Prior died at the age of fifty.
Death of the Prior
The blessed Guigues passed away at the age of fifty after a life dedicated to the development of his order.
*Hagiography of Valsace.*
END OF THE MONTH OF MARCH.
LIVES OF THE SAINTS. — VOLUME IV.
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Frequently asked questions about Venerable Guigo
Who was Venerable Guigo?
Prior of the Grande Chartreuse in the 12th century, Guigues was the author of the first statutes of the Order of Saint Bruno. Under his leadership, the order experienced major expansion with numerous foundations and the reconstruction of the monastery after an avalanche. A friend of Saint Bernard and Saint Hugh of Grenoble, he left behind esteemed spiritual and historical writings.
What is Venerable Guigo the patron saint of?
Patronage of Venerable Guigo: Carthusian Order.
How is Venerable Guigo depicted in Christian art?
In iconography, Venerable Guigo is recognizable by: Carthusian habit, book of statutes and monastery model.
Which saints were contemporaries of Venerable Guigo?
Contemporaries include: Saint Norbert of Magdeburg, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Saint Stephen of Hungary and Saint Arthaud of Belley.
When did Venerable Guigo die?
Venerable Guigo died around 1134.
Who are the relatives of Venerable Guigo?
Relatives of Venerable Guigo: Seigneur de Saint-Romain-de-Château (father).
Annexes & related entities
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Key Events
- Entered the Order of Saint Bruno
- Elected Prior of the Grande Chartreuse at age 26
- Drafting of the Order's statutes (Rule of Saint Bruno)
- Reconstruction of the monastery after an avalanche
- Wrote the life of Saint Hugh of Grenoble by order of Innocent II