Arnold of Bonneval (Marmoutier)
ARNOLD OF BONNEVAL (MARMOUTIER)
Abbot, writer, and friend and biographer of St. Bernard of Clairvaux; d. after 1156. Few facts about his life are available, but he is known by his writings and for the esteem in which he was held by St. Bernard. He was a monk of Marmoutier in 1138 and was made abbot of Bonneval in the Diocese of Chartres, probably c. 1144. Because of internal troubles in his monastery, he journeyed to Rome, where he received papal approval for his policies. He resigned his abbatial office sometime before 1156 and possibly died at Marmoutier. He was recognized for his learning and piety, and many important personages were numbered among his friends and correspondents. At the request of the monks of Clairvaux, he undertook the writing of the life of St. Bernard begun by william of saint–thierry. His writings include discourses on the gifts of the Holy Spirit, on the seven last words of Our Lord, a sermon in praise of Our Lady, a commentary on Psalm 132, and a variety of meditations and spiritual treatises.
Bibliography: a. prÉvost, Dictionnaire d'histoire et de géographie ecclésiastiques, ed. a. baudrillart et al. (Paris 1912—) 4:421–423. p. pourrat, Catholicisme. Hier, aujourd'hui et demain, ed. G. Jacquemet (Paris 1947—) 1:849.
[j. c. willke]