Saint Bertin
Saint Bertin (born c. 615 AD in Coutances, Normandy, France; died c. September 5, 709 AD in Saint-Omer, Flanders, France) was a Frankish Benedictine monk, missionary, and abbot who founded the great Abbey of Sithiu (later called Saint-Bertin) near what became the city of Saint-Omer in Flanders. He evangelized and organized Christian life in the Morini region (around present-day Saint-Omer). He is the patron of Saint-Omer, which takes its name from one of his companions. His feast day is September 5.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Bertin
| Saint Bertin | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | September 05 |
| Profession | Benedictine monk; missionary; abbot; monastic founder |
| Rel. Affiliation | Order of Saint Benedict (Abbey of Sithiu) |
| Patronage | Saint-Omer; Flanders; the Morini region |
| Attributes | Abbot's crozier; boat (allusion to his arrival by boat to found the monastery) |
| Birthplace | Coutances, Manche, Normandy, France |
| Death Place | Sithiu (Saint-Omer), Pas-de-Calais, France |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes |
| Primary Shrine | Ruins of Abbey of Saint-Bertin, Saint-Omer, Pas-de-Calais, France |
| Liturgical Class | Not included (universal calendar) |
| Historic Class | Not included |
Biography
Early life and formation at Luxeuil
Bertin was born around 615 in the region of Coutances in Normandy. He became a monk at the famous Abbey of Luxeuil in Burgundy—the great missionary monastery founded by Saint Columbanus that trained a generation of Frankish missionaries. Under Abbot Walbert he received his monastic formation. Around 639 AD he was sent by Abbot Walbert on a missionary journey to the pagan Morini region (the coastal area of northern France and Flanders, around present-day Saint-Omer).
Foundation of Sithiu
With two companions—Mommolin and Ebertram—and under the sponsorship of Bishop Omer (Audomarus) of Thérouanne, Bertin settled on an island in the marshes of the Aa River and founded the monastery of Sithiu around 648 AD. The city that grew up around the monastery is named Saint-Omer after Bishop Omer, who had been instrumental in the mission.
Bertin served as abbot for decades, guiding the community and the evangelization of the surrounding region. The Abbey of Sithiu grew into one of the most important monasteries in northern France and eventually became known as the Abbey of Saint-Bertin.
Death
Bertin died around September 5, 709 AD, after a long life of monastic service. The abbey he founded flourished for nearly a millennium until the French Revolution, when it was suppressed. The ruins of the Abbey of Saint-Bertin are a landmark of Saint-Omer today.
Significant events
- Born c. 615 in Coutances, Normandy.
- Trained at Luxeuil under Abbot Walbert.
- Sent on mission to the Morini region c. 639 AD.
- Founded the monastery of Sithiu (later Saint-Bertin) c. 648 AD with companions Mommolin and Ebertram.
- Served as abbot for decades; evangelized the Morini region.
- Died c. September 5, 709 AD.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Coutances, Manche, Normandy, France
Death location: Sithiu (Saint-Omer), Pas-de-Calais, France
Notable location: The city named after one of his companions; site of the Abbey of Sithiu (Abbey of Saint-Bertin) (Saint-Omer, Pas-de-Calais, France)
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Parishes
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Media
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Shrines
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Known shrines
- Ruins of Abbey of Saint-Bertin, Saint-Omer, Pas-de-Calais, France — the tower and ruins of the great medieval abbey; a prominent landmark of Saint-Omer.
Feast day
September 5
Veneration
Saint Bertin is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church with a feast day on September 5, particularly in Saint-Omer and the Pas-de-Calais region.
Prayers
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