Catholic saint biography
St. Aelred of Rievaulx
- Lived:
- Died 1166 — Scotland; Yorkshire, England
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Biography
Aelred received an education and served at the Scottish court before entering the Cistercian monastery of Rievaulx in Yorkshire. He eventually became its abbot. His intellectual formation remained part of his religious life, now directed toward Scripture, theological reflection and the responsibilities of guiding a monastic community.
His writings include a treatment of spiritual friendship as well as historical and devotional works. Drawing on Scripture and the Christian tradition, he communicated the spiritual life through both writing and personal leadership. He died in 1166, leaving a literary legacy that grew from the responsibilities and relationships of his years as a Cistercian monk and abbot.
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What will you carry with you?
After reading about St. Aelred of Rievaulx, take a moment to consider:
- Which event or decision in this life stood out to you?
- What virtue would you like to understand or practice more deeply?
- What small action could you take today in response?
These are reflection prompts from Saint Discovery, not quotations from the saint.
Sources and further reading
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What the recorded review covers
Individual Catholic institutional source review; original concise factual summary. AI-assisted comparison of the individual institutional biography, recognition notice, all 685 archived and canonical baseline identities, source identity keys and alternate names. Individually identified person; distinct from group observances and related people. Original English prose; no qualified human review or ecclesiastical approval is claimed.
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