Order of Saint-Ruf

The Order of Saint-Ruf was a Catholic religious order of canons regular following the rule of Saint Augustine from 1039 until 1774. It traced its history back to the foundation of its mother house and namesake, the abbey of Saint-Ruf in Avignon.^[1]

In the late 11th century, Saint-Ruf was associated with the Gregorian reform.^[1] In 1092, Pope Urban II confirmed its customs and its properties.^[2] By 1095, it had acquired nine churches. Following the introduction of the ordo novus (new order), a stricter interpretation of the rule of Saint Augustine, by Norbert of Xanten, the Order of Saint-Ruf defended the more moderate ordo antiquus (old order).^[1] In 1154, a member of the order was elected Pope Adrian IV.^[2]^[3] In 1158, the headquarters of the order was moved to a new abbey in Valence [fr].^[1] The abbey received privileges from the Emperor Frederick I, as it came under direct imperial authority. Bishop Odo of Valence [fr] recognized its exemption. Pope Innocent IV (r. 1243–1254) confirmed it as directly subordinate to the Holy See nullo medio.^[4]

Pope Urban V (r. 1362–1370) founded the College of Saint-Ruf in Montpellier. In 1482, in his capacity as commendatory abbot, Giuliano della Rovere issued new statutes for the order. In 1488, Pope Innocent VIII confirmed the orders possessions. The 16th century was a period of decline, marked by the French Wars of Religion.^[5] By the 18th century, the order had incurred severe debts. It was suppressed and its properties secularized in 1774.^[1]

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Order of Saint-Ruf

Dependent churches

References

Work cited

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