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Stephen Harding () (28 March 1134) was an English people-born monk and abbot, who was one of the founders of the Cistercian Order. He is honoured as a saint in the Catholic Church.
Stephen was the third abbot of Cîteaux. At first, under his administration, there was hardship, especially regarding the attainment of new members. Eventually, Bernard of Clairvaux entered the community, bringing with him thirty companions.
With Stephen and Bernard spearheading the order, many new Cistercian monasteries were founded. In 1119, Stephen received official approbation for the Carta Caritatis (Charter of Charity), an important document for the Cistercian Order, establishing its unifying principles. (2025). 9781107001312, Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781107001312 Many of his policies and decisions were influenced from his time with the Vallombrosians.
Stephen Harding served as abbot of Cîteaux for twenty-three years. While no single person is considered the founder of the Cistercian Order, the shape of Cistercian thought and its rapid growth in the 12th century were certainly due in some part to Harding's leadership. Insisting on simplicity in all aspects of monastic life, Stephen encouraged the severity of Cistercian architecture and the simple beauty of the Order's liturgy and music. He was an accomplished scribe; one of his greatest achievements is considered to be the Harding Bible. In 1133, he resigned as abbot because of poor eyesight. Huddleston, Gilbert. "St. Stephen Harding." The Catholic Encyclopedia Vol. 14. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912. He died on 28 March 1134.
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