Raoul (founder of Vaucelles Abbey)

Raoul, founder of Vaucelles Abbey or Saint Raoul (also San Raul) is a saint of the Catholic Church who founded the famous monastery of Vaucelles in France. He was an English Benedictine monk who was a follower of St. Bernard of Clairvaux.

He was said to be a "fervent monk" and thus was sent in 1132 by St. Bernard to found the now famous monastery of Vaucelles, found in the north of France, in Cambrai. He was canonized for his rectitude and austerity. He seconded St. Bernard's reforming zeal.

Raoul was the abbot of the monastery for twenty years until his death on 1152. With his monks he dedicated himself to prayer, reading of the sacred books, to teaching agriculture.

Saint Raoul recommended the following prayers to be said daily: (1) Miserere: Have mercy on me, Lord, I am a sinner, (2) the Alleluia and (3) the Te Deum or Thanks be to God. Blessed be God.

His feastday is celebrated on December 30.

ources

* [http://nominis.cef.fr/contenus/saint/9826/Bienheureux-Raoul.html Raoul (1152)]
* [http://www.elalmanaque.com/santoral/diciembre/30-12-raul.htm El Almanaque]
* [http://www.elalmanaque.com/santoral/diciembre/30-12-raul.htm San Raul at EWTN]
* [http://www.abbayedevaucelles.com/english/sommaire.htm Vaucelles Abbey]