SAINT HERMELAND, ABBOT

 

SAINT HERMELAND, ABBOT

Saint Hermeland (Ermenlandus, Erblon, Arbland, Erblain, Herband, Herbland, Erbland, Herlein) came from a respected and wealthy family of Noyon (Noviomum, Noviomagum). After an education appropriate to his status, he came to the court of King Chlotar III as a cupbearer.

In A.D. 673 he became a monk at Fontenelle under Abbot Landbertus. Soon afterwards Bishop Audoënus of Rouen ordained him a priest.

From Fontenelle he moved to Nantes with twelve confreres, where Bishop Pascharius entrusted to Hermeland's leadership the newly founded monastery of Aindre (Antrum). The official inauguration in honour of St Martin took place in A.D. 682.

The monastery was completely destroyed in the 9th century - not by a flood, as some writers say -   but rather by the Normans, according to the Bollandists*.

Here lived St Hermeland in extreme penitence and humility, so that God himself glorified him by miracles. On one occasion, a large, precious fish lay wriggling at his feet. The blessing of the saint made it possible for all the monks to eat a full meal of it. He also possessed the gift of discernment and a profound knowledge of the human heart.

Towards the end of his life he transferred his monastery responsibilities to his successor and henceforth stayed at the Chapel of St Leodegar, praying and contemplating. He reached a very old age and, after announcing the date of his death to the brothers and after having received the last Sacraments, he passed to a better life at the beginning of the 8th century.

His name is also inserted in the Roman Martyrology. The Bollandists* place the year of his death between A.D. 715-720. They list him on March 25.

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 2, Augsburg, 1861)

*A hagiography source used by the authors 

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Hermeland may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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