Stephen of Obazine
Encyclopedia
Stephen of Obazine was a priest
and hermit
, famed for his pious nature, even from a young age.
in Vielge, France
, and was stirred a reputation of holiness, especially when it came to the recitation of the divine office
, only interrupting these if something of grave necessity arose. He was also known for his love for all things to do with the Mass
, ensuring provision of fitting sacred vessels, furnishings, and vestments were perfect for God. Wanting a more austere life, Stephen and a like-minded priest, by the name of Peter, set out at the beginning of Lent
one year to locate place where they could live as hermits. So it was on Good Friday
, they discovered in the region of Obazine a forest. The two priests remained there fasting until Easter Sunday, after which they found a nearby church to celebrate Mass. A famous story remains of this time, heading back to their hermitage
, the two friends paused to rest on the mountain, exhausted and weak from hunger. While resting a farmwoman offered them half a loaf of bread to eat and a vessel of milk to drink. Stephen would later say that this simple meal was the most delightful he had ever tasted.
, even though at the time it composed mainly many small huts in the forest. Nearby at Coyroux they founded a convent for 150 nuns along similar lines. As there was no written Rule for the community, in 1142 Stephen joined the Cistercians, and the monks and nuns in the forest followed suit. He affiliated his house with the Cistercians in 1147, and served as the first abbot.
The monastery flourished for many years, until it was suppressed during the French Revolution
, and its property was seized in 1791. The abbey church survives to this day, and serves as a parish church.
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
and hermit
Hermit
A hermit is a person who lives, to some degree, in seclusion from society.In Christianity, the term was originally applied to a Christian who lives the eremitic life out of a religious conviction, namely the Desert Theology of the Old Testament .In the...
, famed for his pious nature, even from a young age.
Religious Life
Stephen began his religious life as a priestPriest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
in Vielge, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, and was stirred a reputation of holiness, especially when it came to the recitation of the divine office
Divine Office
Divine Office may refer to:* Liturgy of the Hours, the recitation of certain Christian prayers at fixed hours according to the discipline of the Roman Catholic Church* Canonical hours, the recitation of such prayers in Christianity more generally...
, only interrupting these if something of grave necessity arose. He was also known for his love for all things to do with the Mass
Mass (liturgy)
"Mass" is one of the names by which the sacrament of the Eucharist is called in the Roman Catholic Church: others are "Eucharist", the "Lord's Supper", the "Breaking of Bread", the "Eucharistic assembly ", the "memorial of the Lord's Passion and Resurrection", the "Holy Sacrifice", the "Holy and...
, ensuring provision of fitting sacred vessels, furnishings, and vestments were perfect for God. Wanting a more austere life, Stephen and a like-minded priest, by the name of Peter, set out at the beginning of Lent
Lent
In the Christian tradition, Lent is the period of the liturgical year from Ash Wednesday to Easter. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer – through prayer, repentance, almsgiving and self-denial – for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and...
one year to locate place where they could live as hermits. So it was on Good Friday
Good Friday
Good Friday , is a religious holiday observed primarily by Christians commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. The holiday is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday, and may coincide with the Jewish observance of...
, they discovered in the region of Obazine a forest. The two priests remained there fasting until Easter Sunday, after which they found a nearby church to celebrate Mass. A famous story remains of this time, heading back to their hermitage
Hermitage (religious retreat)
Although today's meaning is usually a place where a hermit lives in seclusion from the world, hermitage was more commonly used to mean a settlement where a person or a group of people lived religiously, in seclusion.-Western Christian Tradition:...
, the two friends paused to rest on the mountain, exhausted and weak from hunger. While resting a farmwoman offered them half a loaf of bread to eat and a vessel of milk to drink. Stephen would later say that this simple meal was the most delightful he had ever tasted.
Founding of the Obazine Abbey
In 1134, the Bishop of Tulle approved the hermitage to be founded as a monasteryObazine Abbey
Obazine Abbey, also known as Aubazine Abbey, was a Cistercian monastery in the present town of Aubazines in the département of Corrèze in the Limousin in France.-History:...
, even though at the time it composed mainly many small huts in the forest. Nearby at Coyroux they founded a convent for 150 nuns along similar lines. As there was no written Rule for the community, in 1142 Stephen joined the Cistercians, and the monks and nuns in the forest followed suit. He affiliated his house with the Cistercians in 1147, and served as the first abbot.
The monastery flourished for many years, until it was suppressed during the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
, and its property was seized in 1791. The abbey church survives to this day, and serves as a parish church.
Studies
- Gert Melville, "Stephan von Obazine: Begründung und Überwindung charismatischer Führung," in Giancarlo Andenna / Mirko Breitenstein / Gert Melville (Hgg.), Charisma und religiöse Gemeinschaften im Mittelalter. Akten des 3. Internationalen Kongresses des "Italienisch-deutschen Zentrums für Vergleichende Ordensgeschichte" (Münster / Hamburg / Berlin / London: LIT 2005) (Vita regularis. Ordnungen und Deutungen religiosen Lebens im Mittelalter, 26), 85-101.