Introduction
Although the monastic spirit of the Benedictines became popular in the early Middle Ages, new forms of monasticism arose in abundance among both clergy and lay faithful. As the monks of the Benedictine Order triumphed the ideal "ora et labora", the new forms of monastic and ascetical life made their ideal of life the "vita apostolica" of poverty and voluntary renunciation. One of those religious founders who followed this new form of monasticism was St. Romuald (or Romwald).
Conversion after a "wild youth"
Romuald was of the noble Onesti family of Ravenna, Italy. He lived a "wild youth", probably influenced by his father, Sergius, who had killed a relative in a duel over a piece of land. To expiate for his father's killing and atone for the crime, Romuald retired at twenty years of age to San Apollinare Monastery at Classe (a monastery under the central authority of Cluny in France), and became a monk around the year 972 A.D. This monastery followed the rule of St. Benedict.
In search of "austerity"
After three years at the Classe monastery, Romuald left in search of a more austere life. He went to the woods near Venice, and placed himself under the spiritual direction of the hermit, Marinus. Romuald lived a solitary life for about 10 years. He returned home to assist his father, who also became a monk, but was having doubts on this vocation.
Abbot of San Apollinare
In 998 A.D., Otto III appointed Romuald as abbot of the monastery at Classe. Romuald however resigned after more than a year, to live again as a hermit - this time at Pereum (Pereum became an important center for the training of clergy for the Slavonic missions). Romuald wandered through northern Italy, on the heights of the Apennines, seeking God in solitude and prayer.
Discovery of a new vocation
Romuald also obtained a mandate from the Pope to carry out a mission to the Magyars in Hungary. He however became ill and was forced to return to Italy. He then studied more on the Desert Fathers and discovered a vocation and path to holiness through solitude. He founded a monastery at Fonte Avellana (refounded by St. Peter Damian) and another at Camaldoli, Tuscany in 1023 A.D. (the name Camaldoli is derived from Campus Maldoli).
The Camaldolese Order
The founding at Camaldoli covered a fifteen-year span. After St. Romuald's death, the community developed into the Camaldolese Order (Monk Hermits of Camaldoli). St. Romuald did not leave a written Rule for the Order. This Camaldolese Order (which began as five hermitages built by St. Romuald) combined the cenobitic (community) and eremitical (hermit) life following the rule of St. Benedict (with some modifications).
Contribution to Benedictine monasticism
The spiritual legacy of St. Romuald was to provide a place for the eremitical life within the framework of the Rule of St. Benedict. The Camaldolese hermits would have liturgical worship and meals together, but would then live independently of one another - going to each one's own cell. This Camaldolese spirit is the one that influenced St. Bruno, who would later on draw a spiritual framework for the Carthusian Order.
Summary and conclusion
One biographer reports of St. Romuald as wanting to inspire many to his sense of contrition and "to change the world into nothing but a hermitage". St. Romuald's search for God in solitude and prayer is well-expressed in art, where he is shown in the white robe of the Camaldolese Order with his finger to his lips, requesting silence.
The Church celebrates the feast of St. Romuald every June 19
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