Robert de Turlande

Robert of Turlande (* 1001 in Paulhenc, Auvergne, France, † April 17, 1067 in the monastery of La Chaise- Dieu, Auvergne ) was a saint and the founder of the Benedictine monastery of La Chaise- Dieu.

Robert de Turlande was a younger son of Geraud de Turlande who belonged to the higher nobility of Auvergne. As he had no inclination for military service, he was handed over to the canons of the Basilica Saint-Julien in Brioude. He himself was a canon in 1026, then a priest. In 1040 he went on pilgrimage to Rome and Monte Cassino, to study the Rule of St. Benedict there. After his return, he decided to become a monk and to follow the Rule of St. Benedict. On December 28, 1043, he and two former Knights a small hermitage he Casa Dei (Latin: House of God) called them, from which the name Chaise- Dieu developed.

Very soon monks gathered around Robert and 1050 was from the small hermitage became a Bishop of Clermont, an uncle of Robert, recognized and funded monastery.

1052 presented Pope Leo IX. the monastery under his protection.

Upon the death of Robert had La Chaise -Dieu, 300 monks, they called " casadéennes ", and 42 daughter monasteries, to the convent of Lavaudieu.

Already in 1070 he was canonized by Pope Alexander II ( canonized ) and fixed April 24 as his feast day.