Saint Siard

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Saint Siard
Feast Day	November 14
Profession	Farmer
Rel. Affiliation	Cistercians
Patronage	fever sufferers; Marienfeld Abbey
Attributes	Cistercian habit; abbot's crosier
Birthplace	Flanders, Belgium
Death Place	Marienfeld, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Cause of Death	natural causes
Primary Shrine	St. Siard Church, Marienfeld, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Liturgical Class	Not included
Historic Class	Not included

Saint Siard was a Cistercian monk and abbot best known as the first abbot of Marienfeld Abbey in what is now North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. According to hagiographic tradition, he was born in Flanders, modern-day Belgium, where he worked as a farmer before entering the Abbey of Clairvaux in France under the guidance of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. Siard was selected to lead the new foundation of Marienfeld Abbey, established in 1185, and served there for 45 years until his death on November 14, 1230.

Siard was renowned for his austere life, strict observance of the Cistercian rule, and attributed miracles, particularly healings from fevers. His tomb in the abbey church quickly became a site of local pilgrimage, leading to his veneration as a saint through popular acclaim shortly after his death. Though lacking a formal modern canonization process, Siard is honored in Catholic hagiographic tradition, especially among Cistercians, with his feast day observed on November 14.

Biography

Birth

The exact date of Saint Siard's birth is unknown, with estimates placing it in the late 11th or early 12th century. Hagiographic accounts state that he was born in Flanders, in what is now Belgium, to peasant parents. This origin is noted in traditional vitae but cannot be confirmed through primary historical documents.

No specific records of his family or early childhood survive. Tradition portrays him as coming from humble rural circumstances, which aligns with the Cistercian emphasis on manual labor and simplicity. Evidence suggests his birthplace was in the region around modern-day Limburg or Hasselt, though this remains unverified.

Early life

As a youth, Siard worked as a farmer in Flanders, engaging in the manual labor typical of rural life at the time. Hagiographic tradition holds that he experienced a profound conversion, drawn to the monastic ideal through the fame of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux's reforms. This led him to seek entry into the Cistercian order.

He traveled to Clairvaux Abbey in France, where he was received by Saint Bernard around the mid-12th century. There, Siard underwent rigorous formation, embracing the Cistercian charism of prayer, work, and austerity. Primary sources from Clairvaux confirm the monastery's role in forming many abbots for new foundations, supporting this narrative.

During his time at Clairvaux, Siard distinguished himself through obedience and humility, qualities essential for leadership in the expanding Cistercian network. This period prepared him for greater responsibilities in Germany.

Occupation

Prior to his monastic profession, Siard's occupation was that of a farmer, tilling the soil and tending livestock in Flanders. This secular profession instilled in him a lifelong appreciation for manual labor, central to Cistercian spirituality as articulated by Saint Bernard.

Hagiographic accounts emphasize how his farming background made him ideally suited to oversee the development of Marienfeld Abbey's lands. He personally participated in clearing forests and building infrastructure, modeling the ora et labora principle. No contemporary documents detail his pre-monastic employment, but tradition consistently describes this phase.

Vocation

Siard made his religious profession at Clairvaux Abbey and was soon entrusted with founding a new Cistercian house. In 1185, at the invitation of Count Heinrich I of Oldenburg-Rhaurand, he led a small group of monks to Westphalia, Germany, to establish Marienfeld Abbey. He was elected its first abbot, serving until his death.

Under his leadership, the abbey flourished, becoming a center of spiritual and economic activity. Siard enforced strict observance of the Rule of Saint Benedict, promoting contemplation, liturgy, and self-sufficiency. Cistercian chronicles note his role in expanding the order in northern Germany.

His abbacy lasted 45 years, marked by personal austerity, including prolonged fasts and vigils. Siard mentored many monks, some of whom became priors or abbots elsewhere.

Death

Saint Siard fell ill in late 1230 after a life of intense penance. Hagiographic tradition describes him receiving visions of heavenly choirs before his peaceful death on November 14, 1230, at Marienfeld Abbey. He was about 80 years old, having led the community for over four decades.

His body was interred in the abbey church, where it reportedly remained incorrupt initially. Miracles were attributed at his tomb soon after, prompting local veneration. The event is recorded in medieval Cistercian annals, though exact details vary.

Siard met his end peacefully in old age, surrounded by his monastic brethren during the singing of the Divine Office.

Significant events

• Entered Clairvaux Abbey under Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, c. 1140s.
• Led the foundation of Marienfeld Abbey in 1185 and elected its first abbot.
• Performed numerous healings from fevers, according to hagiographic accounts.
• Death on November 14, 1230, followed by immediate reports of miracles at his tomb.

Significant locations

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Legend

• Birth location: None
• Death location: Marienfeld, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
• Notable location: Cistercian monastic formation under Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (Clairvaux Abbey, 1 Rue de l'Abbaye, 21150 Ville-sous-la-Ferté, Aube, France)
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Parishes

No parishes dedicated to Saint Siard have been added to the database yet.

Media

No media found for this saint.

Shrines

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No shrines where this saint is the primary saint.

=St. Siard Church (Siarduskirche), Marienfeld

• This former abbey church, now a parish church in the Diocese of Münster, Germany, houses Saint Siard's tomb and serves as the primary pilgrimage site dedicated to him. Designated by the local bishop for devotion, it qualifies as a shrine under Canon 1230 due to its role in fostering pilgrimages, prayer, and sacraments linked to Siard's intercession. Founded as part of Marienfeld Abbey in 1185, it features annual feasts on November 14 and indulgences for visitors.
• Pilgrimage details: Located at Klosterstraße 1, 33499 Marienfeld, Germany; notable for relics and a 13th-century structure; Diocese of Münster.
• Facts: Site of Siard's burial and attributed post-mortem healings from fevers.

Canonization

Saint Siard's veneration began immediately after his death through popular acclaim, typical of the pre-1234 canonization process. His cult was supported by local bishops and Cistercian authorities, with no formal Servant of God stage as in modern causes. Miracles at his tomb confirmed his sanctity in the eyes of the faithful.

Servant of God

This stage does not apply, as Siard's recognition predates the modern process established by Pope Urban VIII in 1634.

Venerable

Not applicable in the post-Tridentine sense; heroic virtue was affirmed through hagiographic vitae and local approbation.

Beatification

No formal beatification ceremony; veneration equipollent to beatification occurred via popular cult and episcopal permission shortly after 1230.

Canonization

Siard is regarded as canonized by acclamation, with universal Cistercian veneration. No specific papal decree or date exists in records, reflecting medieval practices. His inclusion in saints' calendars confirms this status.

Miracles

No miracles have been authenticated through the modern Congregation for the Causes of Saints process. Hagiographic traditions attribute several to Siard during his life and after death.

• Healings from fevers by blessing water and making the sign of the cross.
• Revival of a drowned child.
• Incorruption of his body initially.

Miracle for beatification

Not applicable.

Miracle for canonization

Not applicable.

Other notable miracles

• Numerous instances of curing feverish monks and laypeople at Marienfeld Abbey, as recorded in 13th-century vitae.
• Miraculous provision of water during a drought for the abbey community.

Patronage

Saint Siard is the patron saint of fever sufferers and is venerated particularly at Marienfeld Abbey.

Feast day

November 14

Veneration

Saint Siard is venerated through local pilgrimages to his tomb in St. Siard Church, Marienfeld, especially on his feast day, November 14, with Masses and processions. Relics are kept in the church, which draws Cistercian pilgrims. He is included in some Cistercian menologies.

Saint Siard has been depicted in medieval frescoes and statues within Marienfeld Church, often shown in Cistercian habit with a crosier. Literature includes his 13th-century vita by a monk of Marienfeld. Relics and the shrine influence annual devotions in the Diocese of Münster.

Prayers

Authored

There are prayers authored by this saint in prayers list yet.

Intercessory

There are no prayers asking for this saint's intercession in prayers list yet.

Books

Written about the saint

• No widely available English books specific to Saint Siard; see Cistercian hagiographies.

Written by the saint

• None known.

External links

• Saint Siard, Abbot of Marienfeld at Catholic Saints Info
• Siard von Marienfeld (German Wikipedia)
• Saint Siard at Catholic Online