Benedict of Aniane

Who they were

Benedict, born Witiza, son of the Count of Maguelone, served at the Frankish court and in Charlemagne's campaign of 773, then entered the monastery of Saint-Seine.

In 779 he founded a monastery at Aniane on his own land, which became the model of monastic reform under Louis the Pious. He led the synods of Aachen in 816 and 817 that spread the Rule of St Benedict through the Empire. He died at Cornelimünster on 11 February 821.

The miracles

There was never a formal cause: he has been honoured as a saint since before the Church's formal processes began.

Why that counted as sanctity

The second founder of Benedictine life, who restored monastic discipline across the Empire.

Connected on this site

• Theodulf of Orléans Saint Pupil
• Ardo Smaragdus Saint
  “He entered the monastery of Aniane in Hérault as a boy, probably as an oblate, and was brought up by Benedict of Aniane.” — Wikipedia
• Berno of Cluny Saint
  “Berno placed the monastery under the Benedictine rule (founded by Benedict of Nursia and reformed by Benedict of Aniane).” — Wikipedia
• Erkembode Saint
  “In later times that abbey of Sithiu became part of the Order of Saint Benedict after the Carolingian reforms of Benedict of Aniane.” — Wikipedia
• William of Gellone Saint
  “In 804 he founded the monastery of Gellone near Lodève under St Benedict of Aniane, and in 806 became a monk there himself, remaining until his death about 812.” — this site's research