In his youth, Romuald saw his father kill a man in a duel. Horrified, he turned his life around in conversion and in order to atone for the crime, became a Benedictine monk. Later he was named Abbot of his monastery. He went on to found several more monasteries and then seeking more austerity, he founded the Order of Camaldoli. He died on this day in about the year 1027.

He wrote: ‘Sit in the cell as in paradise; cast all memory of the world behind you; cautiously watching your thoughts, as a good fisher watches the fish.’ This can apply both to a monastic cell, and to a quiet place where we go apart to pray. In this way, there is space for God.

May He bless you and keep you in His love.