Gilbert of Sempringham

Gilbert of Sempringham ( 1083-1089 *, † February 4, 1189 ) was an English founder of the order.

His father Jocelin was a wealthy Norman knight with land holdings in Lincolnshire. Due to a deformity he was not suitable for military service and was therefore sent to Paris to study. When he returned to Lincoln, he became secretary of Bloet Robert, bishop of Lincoln, his successor Alexander 1123 ordained him a priest. But he rejected the Archdeacon offered.

After his father's death he returned in 1131 after Sempringham and founded on the local father owned a convent for poor girl who lived in strict enclosure according to the Benedictine rule, and in connection with a monastery according to the Rule of the Augustinian canons with special additives from the Cistercian rule. This developed into the Order of Gilbertine after it had rejected the General Chapter of the Cistercian Citeaux in 1147 to accommodate the rapidly growing community of Gilbert. It is the only one founded by an Englishman Order. Outside of England, he has no distribution found. The Double Order of Gilbertine was in 1148 by Eugenius III. confirmed and 1536 abolished the monastery tower under Henry VIII.

1202, Pope Innocent III. Gilbert of Sempringham sacred. His Catholic and Anglican feast day is February 4, but there are also entries for 11 February available.