Peter Monoculus, Bl.
PETER MONOCULUS, BL.
Abbot of clairvaux; b. Burgundy, France; d. Foigny, France, Oct. 29, 1186. Peter, the son of a noble family, joined the Cistercian community in his early youth. In 1164 he was elected abbot of Valroy, where in a nearly fatal illness he lost an eye. He became abbot at Igny (1169), then at Clairvaux (1179). A worthy successor of St. bernard in his humility and love of poverty, he was held in the highest esteem by the popes and monarchs of his time. He died while on a tour of visitation at Foigny, but was buried at Clairvaux. Sixteen of Peter's letters have been edited (Patrologia Latina 201:1391–1404). Although never officially canonized, his cult is widespread among Cistercians.
Feast: Oct. 29.
Bibliography: Sources. Acta Sanctorum Oct. 8:53–90. Patrologia Latina (Paris 1878–90) 209:1007–36. p. l. pÉchenard, Histoire de l'Abbaye d'Igny (Reims 1883). s. lenssen, Hagiologium cisterciense (Tilburg 1948–49) 1:254–257. a. a. king, Cîteaux and Her Elder Daughters (London 1954).
[l. j. lekai]