SAINT FRODOBERT, ABBOT - 1 JANUARY

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN JANUARY

Saints celebrated on the 1st of January

SAINT FRODOBERT, ABBOT

A page of one of Fortunatus Hueber's
Saints' books,
"Stammenbuch..." (1693)

Saint Frodobert (Frodobertus) was born and educated at Troyes (Trecae) ​​(once the capital of Champagne, now of the department of Aube). On account of his rare virtues, was received among the clergy at quite a young age by Bishop Ragnegisilus (the 17th bishop of Troyes). 

Already at that time, Frodobert possessed the gift of miracles, drove away evil spirits with the Sign of the Cross and wonderfully restored his blind mother's sight. Yearning for even greater perfection, however, he asked to be admitted to the Luxeuil monastery. Abbot Walbertus received him straight away. 

The inhabitants of this abbey admired Frodobert's simplicity of heart and his gentleness, virtues which our Lord Jesus Christ particularly commends. The new monk was as silent as a lamb, whatever mockery and scorn might befall him; he did not open his mouth against his accusers and did never defend himself against troublemakers.

When, after several years, the Bishop of Troyes recalled Frodobert to his native city, he urged him to settle in his diocese. King Clothair II gave the saint a plot of land in the suburb of Troyes for the construction of a monastery, called Moutier la Celle (Münsterzell). Once the task was completed, many young men requested admittance, and Frodobert led this flourishing foundation. He was a good father to them all. On the night between December 31 and January 1, towards the end of the 7th century, he breathed his last. The precise year of this holy abbot's passing was - according to Mabillon* - A.D. 673. Bishop Otulph raised his relics on January 8, 872. From then on, Frodobert's feast was celebrated on that date.

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 2, Augsburg, 1861, p. 320)

*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 Frodobert 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.