Today is the feast day of Saint Bruno of Cologne, founder of the Carthusian Order

The Catholic Church celebrates the feast of Saint Bruno of Cologne on October 6, honoring the priest who founded the Carthusian Order in 1084.

Born in Cologne, Germany, Bruno studied at the Cathedral School of Reims in France, where he eventually served as headmaster. After his ordination, he served as a cathedral canon and chancellor to the archbishop. During this time, he published works including commentaries on the Psalms and the letters of Saint Paul.

Seeking a life of silence and prayer, Bruno established the Carthusian Order, named after the Chartreuse mountains in France where the first monastery was founded. The order follows a spirituality of continuous prayer, manual labor, writing, and study. In 1088, Bruno was invited to serve as an advisor to Pope Urban II, a former student of his. He later resigned from his position as an advisor to the Curia to return to the Carthusian brothers, eventually passing away on October 6, 1101.