Bruno of Segni
1049 – 1123
feast – July 18
This son of a noble Piedmont family became a canon in Siena, Italy. After defending the doctrine of the Blessed Sacrament at a church council, he was named bishop of Segni in 1080. He served several popes as reformer, Vatican librarian and papal legate. But, after returning from the Council of Tours in 1095, he was imprisoned by a count who opposed his reforms. Bruno subsequently withdrew to Monte Cassino, becoming a Benedictine and, in 1107, abbot.
Yet another pope ordered him back to Segni, where he died. Bruno wrote against simony and lay investiture and was the leading Italian scriptural commentator of his time. He was canonized in 1183.
