St Bruno: Patron Saint of Exorcists

St Bruno by Jean-Antoine Houdon

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October 6th is the feast day of St Bruno of Cologne (c. 1030 - 1101), the founder of the Ordo Cartusiensis (Order of the Carthusians).

Bruno of Cologne was canonised by Pope Gregory XV (r. 1621-23) on February 17th 1623. 

In the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli e Martiri there is a remarkably fine statue of St Bruno (1766-67), the work of the French neoclassical sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon (1741-1828). 

On seeing the statue, Pope Clement XIV (r. 1769-74) was so impressed by its realism he quipped that St Bruno looked as if he could speak, had he not taken a vow of silence.

Strictly speaking, a Carthusian does not take a formal vow of silence, but silence plays a central part in his spiritual life.  

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