Roberto da Salle

Who they were

Bl. Robert of Soleto (Salentinus), was born at Soleto in the Abruzzi in 1272. His parents Thomas and Benevenuta were plain burghers, who provided their son with an education and kept a watchful eye on the development of his character. At the age of sixteen he joined St. Peter Celestine and received the religious habit from his hands. When Celestine was elected Pope, he invited Robert to follow him to Rome, but Robert was so strongly attached to the new life he was leading that he was permitted to continue his mortifications undisturbed. After his ordination in 1297, he lived for twelve years in a cell of the monastery of St. George on Rocca Moria. In the year 1311 he was permitted to live in seclusion with two brethren on Monte Piano. He received so many gifts and bequests that he was enabled to build fourteen monasteries and seven hospitals. The bishop of Chieti saw with great displeasure how Robert was prospering and laid claim to a part of his income. Robert appears to have had little ready money on hand, for he sold the very chalice of the church in order to be able to meet the bishop’s exactions. The bishop called him a hypocrite and even excommunicated him, but Robert did not lose his calmness. His only reply was to beg the bishop for pardon, penance and absolution. Robert died in 1341 and was buried in the Celestine monastery of Monte Morone (or Murrone.)

The miracles

The source does not describe the miracles approved in the cause.

Why that counted as sanctity

A Benedictine Martyrology (1922) remembers him on 18 July.

The cause