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Blessed Pierre I of Tarantasia

Also known as

Pierre l’Ancien
Pierre the Elder
Pierre Ier de Tarentaise
Pierre of Tarentaise the Elder

6 May
29 June (Cistercians)

Profile

Pietro was one of the first Cistercian monks. Friend of Saint Stephen Harding, Saint Robert of Molesme, and Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. One of the founders of the monastery of La Ferte in Burgundy, France in 1113, served as its first prior and as its third abbot from 1123 to 1132. Founded the monastery in Tiglieto, diocese of Acqui, Italy in 1120, the first Cistercian house outside France. Founded the monastery of Lucedio, diocese of Vercelli, Italy in 1124. Archbishop of Tarentaise, France in 1124, the first Cistercian to become a bishop; he served in the see the rest of his life. He also led the adjacent suffragan dioceses of Aosta, Italy and Sion, Switzerland. Even as bishop, Pierre continued to live the simple life of a Cistercian monk, adding all the prayers and fasts of the Order to that of his diocesan calendar. Part of the Council of Étampes in 1130 in which he declared allegience to Pope Innocent II, rejecting anti-pope Kletus II. Founded the Cistercian house in the Tamié valley on the Italy/Switzerland border in 1132, and appointed Saint Pierre II of Tarantasia as its first abbot. Help bring the Canons Regular to his dioceses. As archbishop, Pierre maintained his simple Cistercian life with periods of fasts and prayer vigils.