Saint Barnard
Saint Barnard (also known as Bernard of Romans or Bernhard of Vienne; born c. 778 AD; died January 23, 842 AD at Romans-sur-Isère, Drôme, France) was a Frankish abbot and Archbishop of Vienne in what is now the Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France. He founded the Abbey of Romans (Romans-sur-Isère), which became an important Carolingian monastic center, and served as Archbishop of Vienne during the reigns of Charlemagne and Louis the Pious, playing a role in the political and ecclesiastical life of the Carolingian Empire. His feast day is January 23.
Barnard served at the court of Charlemagne before embracing monastic life, and his career illustrates the close relationship between the Carolingian court, the reform of monasticism, and the governance of the Frankish Church in the late eighth and early ninth centuries.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Barnard
| Saint Barnard | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | January 23 |
| Profession | Courtier (before conversion); Benedictine monk; Abbot; Archbishop |
| Rel. Affiliation | Order of Saint Benedict; Archdiocese of Vienne |
| Attributes | Archbishop's vestments; abbatial crozier; book |
| Birthplace | Frankish Empire (present-day France) |
| Death Place | Romans-sur-Isère, Drôme, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes |
| Liturgical Class | Not included (universal calendar) |
| Historic Class | Not included |
Biography
Barnard was born around 778 AD and served at the court of Charlemagne in the late eighth century. After his time at court he embraced monastic life and eventually founded the Abbey of Romans-sur-Isère in the Drôme department of southeastern France, around 837–838 AD. He governed this new community as abbot while also serving as Archbishop of Vienne—a combination of roles that reflects the Carolingian practice of entrusting important ecclesiastical and monastic foundations to the same capable administrator.
He served as Archbishop of Vienne under Louis the Pious and during the turbulent succession struggles of Louis's sons. He died on January 23, 842 AD at Romans-sur-Isère. The abbey he founded became the Collegiate Church of Saint-Barnard-de-Romans and remained a center of religious life in the region through the medieval period.
Significant events
- Served at the court of Charlemagne.
- Embraced monastic life; founded the Abbey of Romans-sur-Isère (Romans-sur-Isère, Drôme).
- Served as Archbishop of Vienne under Louis the Pious.
- Died January 23, 842 AD at Romans-sur-Isère; feast established on January 23.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: None
Death location: Romans-sur-Isère, Drôme, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
Notable location: Abbey he founded and city where he died (Romans-sur-Isère, Drôme, France)
Notable location: City of his archbishopric (Vienne, Isère, France)
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Parishes
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Shrines
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Known shrines
- Collegiate Church of Saint-Barnard-de-Romans, Romans-sur-Isère, France — the successor church of the abbey he founded; principal shrine.
Feast day
January 23
Veneration
Saint Barnard is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church with a feast day on January 23, principally in the Romans-sur-Isère area and the Drôme department of France.
Prayers
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Intercessory
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