St. Romuald was a much-loved and highly respected Benedictine monk, known for his holiness in life. He was born to a noble Italian family in Ravenna in the mid-10th century. He spent much of his youth as a wild and ornery young man, but was deeply shaken after he witnessed his father kill a man in a duel. This event led to a major conversion, and in order to atone for the crime, he became a Benedictine monk.
He lived a holy life, and in 996 was named abbot of his monastery. He founded the Camaldolese Benedictince, estabishing monasteries throughout central and nothern Italy and trying to evangelize the slavs.
He lived mostly in seclusion, especially in the last years of his life. He died June 19, 1027 due to several afflications. His body was found incorrupted when it was exhumed. He was canonized about 550 years later.
