SAINT GERALD, BISHOP OF MACON

SAINT GERALD, BISHOP OF MACON - 29 MAY

SAINT GERALD, BISHOP OF MACON

The former Cathedral of Vieux
Saint-Vincent at Mâcon

Saint Gerald (Geraldus), also called Gerardus, Giraldus, Girardus, French St-Giraud - is listed as the 26th Bishop of Macon (Mâcon) (Matisco). According to the Proprium of Autun (Ecclesiae Aeduensis) he was born in Belgium. Like most bishops of that time, he was most likely of noble origin. His ordination took place in 886, probably in Chalons. He attended several synods that were held from then until 926.

Bishop Ledbaldus (Leubold, Letbald)

features from 926 onwards, Saint Gerald having returned to solitude to prepare for a holy death. Some sources state erroneously that the holy Bishop retired to Clugny (Cluny); however, he is documented as having spent the remainder of his earthly pilgrimage in the area of Brou in Burgundy. There Saint Gerald died (according to the Bollandists'* calculations), around the year 942. Lechner*, however, places his death in the year 930, which is not unlikely, because the saint's decision to retire was most likely preceded by a significant decrease in his physical strength.

Gerald specifically requested to be buried among the poor in the pilgrim house, of which he was an excellent benefactor. This single feature of his life suffices to characterise the spirit of renunciation and humility with which he was imbued. His relics were returned to Macon at a later stage. A chapel built there in his honour was destroyed by the Calvinists in 1567. (VII. 88. 89.)

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 2, Augsburg, 1861, pp. 391-392)

*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 Gerald 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

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