OUR LADY OF CITEAUX

Built by St. Robert in 1098, France 

Feast Day - March 22

Our Lady of Citeaux is an Abbey named in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It dates back to 1098 when Saint Robert of Molesme left Molesme to found another monastery. They ended up at Citeaux, and the new monastery was one dedicated to honour the Blessed Mother under the rule of Saint Benedict. Their magnificent church was not completed for nearly another 100 years in the year 1193. The famous Saint Bernard of Clairvaux actually left Citeaux to found his monastery at Clairvaux in the year 1115. It was from this place that new Cistercian Abbeys sprung up all over Europe for the benefit of all mankind.

The monastery at Citeaux suffered destruction many times throughout the Hundred Year’s War, and the Monks were often forced to take refuge elsewhere during those dangerous times. It was not until the 16th century before the community once again numbered over 200 monks, but then with the Wars of Religion the number of monks began to fall again. Finally, in 1791, the Abbey was struck by the French Revolution as the property was illegally seized and auctioned by the government.

Perhaps because of the Revolution, there is no other reference to the miracle related to this Shrine.