Catholic Fire

The three founders of the monastery at Citeaux: from left to right, Stephen Harding, Saint Robert of Molesme, and Saint Alberic. The saint of the day for April 17 is St. Stephen Harding (1060-1134), an English-born monk and abbot, who was one of the founders of the Cistercian Order in what is now France. Stephen Harding, son of an English noble, was born at Sherborne in Dorsetshire, England in 1060. He consecrated himself to the monastic life in the Abbey of Sherbonne in Dorsetshire, where he received his early education. He later studied in Paris and Rome, where he pursued a brilliant course in humanities, philosophy and theology. After studying in Paris and Rome, he visited the monastery of Molesmes. Impressed by its leaders, Robert of Molesmes and Alberic (who were later canonized), Stephen joined the community. After a few years, the three men, along with another 20 monks, established a more austere monastery in Citeaux. Eventually, Robert was recalled to Molesme (1099)...

A glance at life and liturgy in the Cistercian Abbey Stift Heiligenkreuz in the Vienna Woods.

A group of Austrian monks have hit the top 10 of the pop charts. The Cistercian Monks of Stift Heiligenkreuz (Holy Cross) were signed by Universal Music following a worldwide search for the best practitioners of the ancient art of Gregorian chant. The monks submitted their winning entry as a YouTube link to the record company. The resulting album, Chant - Music For Paradise, was released on Monday, and came in the charts at number nine. The monks themselves are astounded. More used to the quieter practices of prayer and contemplation, they are unaccustomed to the spotlight of the showbiz world. "We're overjoyed, and really did not think that so many people would like the album so much. We hope that all who listen to it find calm and strength in those thousand-year-old melodies," said Father Karl from their monastery just outside Vienna. "The income we receive from this project will all be used to further the education of our Cistercian brothers from Vietnam and other...