Stephen Harding Popular Books

Stephen Harding Biography & Facts

Stephen Harding (French: Étienne Harding) (c. 1060 – 28 March 1134) was an English-born monk and abbot, who was one of the founders of the Cistercian Order. He is honored as a saint in the Catholic Church. Early Life Stephen was born in south-west England and, as a youth, spent time at the Sherborne Abbey in Dorset. He then travelled to Scotland and France. Afterward, Stephen went on a pilgrimage to Rome. Back in France, Stephen joined a monastery at Molesme, Burgundy region. Founding the Cistercian Order In 1098, Stephen, along with Robert and Alberic, left Molesme and founded a new monastery in Cîteaux, France. Robert became the first abbot. After Robert was ordered back to Molesme by Pope Urban II, Alberic became abbot and served for nine years until his death. Stephen, therefore, became the third abbot of Cîteaux. At first, under his administration, there was hardship, especially regarding the attainment of new members. Eventually, Bernard of Clairvaux entered the community, bringing with him thirty companions.With Stephen and Bernard spearheading the Order, many new Cistercian monasteries were founded. In 1119, Stephen received official approbation for the Carta Caritatis (Charter of Charity), an important document for the Cistercian Order, establishing its unifying principles. Many of his policies and decisions were influenced from his time with the Vallombrosians.Stephen Harding served as abbot of Cîteaux for twenty-three years. While no single person is considered the founder of the Cistercian Order, the shape of Cistercian thought and its rapid growth in the 12th century were certainly due in some part to Harding's leadership. Insisting on simplicity in all aspects of monastic life, Stephen encouraged the severity of Cistercian architecture and the simple beauty of the Order's liturgy and music. He was an accomplished scribe; one of his greatest achievements is considered to be the Harding Bible. In 1133, he resigned as abbot because of poor eyesight. He died on 28 March 1134. Legacy Veneration for Stephen began in the modern era. His feast was celebrated on 28 March until 1683 and then moved to 17 April, where it remained until the liturgical reforms following the Second Vatican Council, when it was moved back to 28 March. In a joint commemoration with Robert of Molesme and Alberic, the first two abbots of Cîteaux, the Cistercians and Benedictines today celebrate Stephen Harding's feast day on 26 January. References  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "St. Stephen Harding". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Bibliography Claudio Stercal, Stephen Harding: A Biographical Sketch and Texts (Trappist, Kentucky: Cistercian Publications, 2008) (Cistercian Studies Series, 226).. Discover the Stephen Harding popular books. Find the top 100 most popular Stephen Harding books.

Best Seller Stephen Harding Books of 2024

  • Hello and Goodbye synopsis, comments

    Hello and Goodbye

    Patrick McCabe

    Welcome to Hello and Goodbye: two dark tales from two deceased narrators bottledlightning treats that will make you gasp, gurn, shiver and squirm. HELLO MR BONES: two damaged soul...

  • Aftermath synopsis, comments

    Aftermath

    Stephen Harding

    Another actionpacked fantasy from the author of the gritty, scifi Janus trilogy and DCI Liberty Rock thrillers. This final part of 'Driven to Revenge' delivers the answers, so don'...

  • Janus the Sandlings synopsis, comments

    Janus the Sandlings

    Stephen Harding

    The third and final part of the gritty scifi thriller continues with the Offspring of Janus having fled Earth for the deserts of Pagos, but what could that mean for the merciless S...

  • Janus the Offspring synopsis, comments

    Janus the Offspring

    Stephen Harding

    Janus Storm never did play fair, especially as he's left the planet Earth with a very nasty problem. His evil past was nothing in comparison to the carnage his Offspring are c...

  • Janus the Arrival synopsis, comments

    Janus the Arrival

    Stephen Harding

    A gritty scifi thriller containing powerful scenes that grip the reader from the start. Who is Janus Storm? He's a very twisted character.As the last hope for his race, he has...

  • Driven to Revenge synopsis, comments

    Driven to Revenge

    Stephen Harding

    An actionpacked horror/fantasy full of heroism, heartbreak and humour from the author of the gritty, scifi Janus trilogy and DCI Liberty Rock thrillers.Eddie Lawson pulls onto the ...

  • Life of St. Stephen Harding, Abbott of Citeaux, AD 1066-1134, and Founder of the Cistercian Order synopsis, comments

    Life of St. Stephen Harding, Abbott of Citeaux, AD 1066-1134, and Founder of the Cistercian Order

    John Dobree Dalgairns

    Includes Table of Contents Saint Stephen Harding (1066 – 1134 A.D.) was born in Dorset, England.  He is a Saint of the Church, and one of the founders of the Cistercian Order...

  • Liberty Rock synopsis, comments

    Liberty Rock

    Stephen Harding

    The longawaited prequel, and a gripping thriller featuring a young Woman Detective Constable Liberty Rock in London's 1970s.Faced with having to tackle sexism, corruption, and male...

  • Nazi Gold synopsis, comments

    Nazi Gold

    Douglas Botting & Ian Sayer

    In 1945, as Allied bombers continued their final pounding of Berlin, the panicking Nazis began moving the assets of the Reichsbank south for safekeeping. Vast trainloads of gold an...

  • Twice Bad synopsis, comments

    Twice Bad

    Stephen Harding

    Another actionpacked thriller featuring DCI Liberty Rock combining a cunning mix of passion and violence with a subtle touch of humour.A horrific incident on a rundown council esta...

  • ISO Killer synopsis, comments

    ISO Killer

    Stephen Harding

    The actionpacked sequel to the thriller, Twice Bad featuring DCI Liberty Rock that mixes passion and violence with a subtle touch of humour.The mysterious death of an Operations Di...