HUGH SAN GRENOBLE Bishop (1053-1132)

There are at least 16 saints or blessed to bear the name of Hugo.

The two most important lived within walking distance of one another, and whose lives have also other aspects in common. This is Hugh abbot of Cluny, who lived from 1024 to 1109, and St. Hugh Bishop of Grenoble, who lived from 1053 to 1132.

Hugh of Cluny was ordained at age 20, and shortly afterwards was made prior higher, and 25 years succeeded Abbot Odilon. He was abbot for 60 years.

Hugh of Grenoble, after studying in Valencia and Reims, where the school was Incmaro and San Bruno, the 27-year-old was named by Gregory VII Bishop of Grenoble, and held that position for 52 years despite their protests and repeated attempts to retire.

Both were effective contributors to the Popes, especially Pope Gregory VII, Pope Urban II, Pope Paschal II and Pope Innocent II, who supported the struggle for reform and against simony and corruption of the clergy.

Both were among the first to give personal testimony of renewal and inner commitment. Both were proponents of monastic life:

Hugo de Cluny was  the principal architect  of the expansion of the Cluniac reform of monasteries over half of Europe. Cluniacs were renowned for their disiplined lifestyel,as evidenced by  San Pedro Damián, who visited Cluny in 1063:

"What we say about the severity of the ascetic discipline of the Rule, respect for the monastery and the silence? During the time of study, work or the "lectio divina" no one dares to go through the corridors or speak, but if necessary ... The service of God completely filled the day until that point, more than the work required by the brothers, is only half an hour for a simple conversation and the conversations necessary. They speak very rarely. During the silence of the night and in the regular places (kitchen, sacristy, bedroom, dining room and faculty), even in the daytime only speaks to sign, which are chosen so severely that do not lead to the lightness. "

For his part, St. Hugh of Grenoble was one of the architects in the founding of the Grande Chartreuse: Hugh was also instrumental in the founding of the Carthusian Order . In 1084 he received Bruno of Cologne , who had perhaps been his own master, with six of his companions, after having seen them in a dream under the banner of seven stars. Hugues installed all seven in a snowy and rocky Alps called Chartreuse . They founded a monastery and devoted their lives to prayer and study, often receiving the visit of Hugh, who,it  is said he adopted much of their lifestyle.