Romuald, St (c. 950–1027)

Italian monastic reformer. He established several religious houses, notably the monastery of Camaldoli, near Arezzo (1009), the home of the Camaldolese. His feast day is 19 June; the translation of his relics from Val di Castro to Gabriano is commemorated on 7 February.

Romuald was born in Ravenna, of the ducal family of the Onesti. He became a Benedictine at Classe, near Ravenna, and was abbot there from 998 to 999. In the latter year he resigned and led a wandering life in central and northern Italy and the Pyrenees practising rigid asceticism. He attempted several times to go as a missionary among the Slavs.