Saint Amandus
Saint Amandus (born c. 584 AD in Poitou, Francia; died February 6, c. 675 AD in Elnon, Flanders (modern Belgium)) was a Frankish bishop and missionary known as the "Apostle of Belgium" and "Apostle of the Flemish." He was one of the most active evangelizers of the Frankish kingdom in the 7th century, founding monasteries throughout modern Belgium, the Netherlands, and France. His feast day is February 6.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Amandus
| Saint Amandus | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | February 06 |
| Profession | Benedictine bishop and missionary; Apostle of Belgium; Apostle of the Flemish; monastic founder; regionarius bishop (bishop without a fixed see); missionary to Basques, Flemish, Danube peoples |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Benedictine Order; 7th-century Frankish missionary church; founder of Belgian monasticism; patron of beer brewers (in later tradition) |
| Patronage | Belgium; Flanders; brewers; wine merchants; innkeepers; hotel workers; Saint-Amand-les-Eaux; those who evangelize difficult peoples; missionaries |
| Attributes | Bishop's vestments and crozier; a serpent (a miracle attributed to him); a fish (his ascetic life); a model of Elnon/Saint-Amand Abbey; a torch or flame (the light of the Gospel); a Flemish landscape |
| Birthplace | Poitou, Francia (modern France) |
| Death Place | Elnon Abbey (Saint-Amand-les-Eaux), Flanders (modern Belgium/France border) |
| Cause of Death | Natural death; died February 6, c. 675 AD, at the Abbey of Elnon which he founded (now called Saint-Amand-les-Eaux, on the French-Belgian border); he was approximately 91 years old; he had lived as a missionary bishop throughout the Frankish kingdom for more than 50 years; he died peacefully at his monastery at Elnon and was buried there; his relics were venerated there for centuries |
| Primary Shrine | Saint-Amand-les-Eaux (Elnon), France — the site of his monastery; the baroque tower museum; February 6 feast; primary pilgrimage in northern France/Belgium |
| Liturgical Class | Optional Memorial (Roman Rite); February 6; Feast in Belgium and France |
| Historic Class | Double (February 6) in 1962 calendar |
Biography
Amandus was born c. 584 in Poitou, France. He became a monk under the bishop of Tours and spent 15 years in ascetical formation. He was ordained a bishop (without a fixed see) by Pope Martin I to enable his missionary work.
He spent decades evangelizing the Low Countries — modern Belgium, the Netherlands, and northern France — founding monasteries as his primary instrument of Christianization. Key foundations included Elnon (c. 628 AD, with royal support from King Dagobert I), and two monasteries in Ghent (c. 630 AD). He converted Saint Bavo of Ghent, converting him from a dissolute wealthy nobleman to a saintly penitent.
He served briefly as Bishop of Tongeren-Maastricht (c. 647–650 AD) but resigned to continue missionary work, including a mission to the Basques and work along the Danube.
He returned to his monastery at Elnon and died there February 6, c. 675 AD, at approximately 91 years of age. The town of Saint-Amand-les-Eaux bears his name.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Poitou, Francia (modern France)
Death location: Elnon Abbey (Saint-Amand-les-Eaux), Flanders (modern Belgium/France border)
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Parishes
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Shrines
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Known shrines
- Saint-Amand-les-Eaux (Elnon), France — the site of his monastery; February 6 feast.
- Saint Bavo's Cathedral, Ghent — he founded the monastery there c. 630 AD.
Feast day
February 6
Veneration
Saint Amandus, the Apostle of Belgium, was a 7th-century Frankish missionary bishop who evangelized the Low Countries, founded monasteries throughout Flanders, and converted Saint Bavo of Ghent. He died at his monastery at Elnon (now Saint-Amand-les-Eaux) c. 675 AD. Feast February 6.
Prayers
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