Saint of the Day: St. Medard


The saint of the day for June 8th is St. Medard, bishop.

Saint Medard, one of the most illustrious prelates of the Church of France in the sixth century, was born of a pious and noble family, at Salency, about the year 457.

From his youth St. Medard was known for his piety and quick learning, quenching his deep hunger for knowledge by studying Sacred Scripture as well as philosophy and the sciences.

His practice of Christian virtue was evident as a youth and his commitment to the poor so pronounced that he had difficulty walking by a poor man in the street without giving him whatever he had -- his cloak or shoes, and one time, even his horse.

Medard was ordained a priest in 490 and was consecrated bishop of Vermand in 530. He moved the see of Vermand to Noyons a year later because it was a city better defended against invasion, the Huns and Vandals being the threats in that epoch.

Pope Hormisdas appointed Medard to the See of Tournai which he presided over along with that of Vermand, and had great success in converting the remaining pagans in the area to Christ.

Medard died of an illness in 545 at the age of 89 and his cult has been very popular historically in northern France.

Patron: against bad weather; against imprisonment; against sterility; brewers; captives; harvests; for good weather; for rain; imprisoned people; mentally ill people; peasants; prisoners; toothache; vineyards.

Legend says that when he was a child, Medard was once sheltered from the rain by a hovering eagle. This is his most common depiction in art, and led to his patronage of good weather.

Prayer to St. Medard

Jesus My Lord, Saint Medard served as a bishop during very difficult times, and his long life of spiritual leadership created a tremendous impression on the people. Because of his patronage against bad weather, I ask him to intercede for me during the storms of my life as well as the storms in nature. Protect me and my home. And Lord, help the victims of hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and other natural disasters. Send in more helpers and multiply the supplies that are needed for their aid. You calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee; deliver us from the storms that are raging around us now. Saint Medard, pray for us. Amen.

~ Via Daily Prayers with the Saints for the New Millenium by Terry Ann Modica.
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Comments

  1. Michele6/8/11, 11:02 PM

    wow, you really do have quite the resources for saints on this blog! its pretty amazing to get to know so many new saints! thanks, Jean!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jean Heimann6/9/11, 1:19 AM

    You're welcome, Michelle!

    Thank you for your kind words!

    God bless you!

    Jean

    ReplyDelete

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