ST WALDEBERT, ABBOT OF LUXEUIL - 2 MAY

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN MAY

Saints celebrated on the 2nd of May

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ST WALDEBERT, ABBOT OF LUXEUIL

Saint Waldebert (Waldebertus, Walbertus), commemorated on May 2 and May 6, was Abbot of Luxeuil (Luxovium) in Burgundy - the successor of St Eustasius. His life, or rather the miracles that occurred after his death, were described by the abbot Addo [Ado] (Hermiricus) in the 10th century.

Of high birth and native to the Ponthieu region (pagus Pontivus), Waldebert made the best use of his inherited large fortune by giving away the largest part of it for the poor and needy. His biography seems to indicate that he was born in the Meaux area. It specifies the place Nant (later called Monteuil). 

It was through the persuasion and example of St Eustasius that Waldebert put on the armour of Christ instead of the worldly armour that he had worn up to then. He became such an excellent monk that he was given permission to live in a hermitage outside the monastery, and following the death of St Eustasius the monks chose Waldebert as his successor. 

As abbot, he maintained his previous austere lifestyle and significantly improved the internal and external conditions of the monastery. He donated to the monastery his father's estate in Nantueil as well as the properties he owned in Ponthieu and in Herly (Herlerus).

For forty years this glorious Confessor led the monastic community, which continued to thrive under his leadership. He made St Salaberga abbess of the women's monastery in Laon, which he had founded. After his death, she saw him in a dream, transfigured and shining like an angel from heaven. 

St Waldebert died on May 2 (or 6), 665 and was buried in St Martin's Church by Bishop Nicetius (Miget) of Besançon. Numerous miracles involving the sick and the miserable of all kinds took place at his tomb. Some of his relics are still there, and his hermitage is also still venerated. 

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints)

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Waldebert 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.

Sources of these articles (in the original German): books.google.co.uk, de-academic.com, zeno.org, openlibrary.org