Saint Omer
Saint Omer (born c. 595 AD in Orval, Belgium; died c. 670 AD in Saint-Omer, Pas-de-Calais, France) was a Frankish bishop who evangelized the pagan Morini people of northern Gaul (the region around modern Boulogne-sur-Mer and Calais). He founded a monastery at Sithiu (modern Saint-Omer) that became the nucleus of the city that bears his name. He became blind in old age and is patron of those with eye diseases. His feast day is September 9.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Omer
| Saint Omer | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | September 09 |
| Profession | Bishop; missionary; second Bishop of Thérouanne; founder of Sithiu monastery; apostle of the Morini |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Diocese of Thérouanne; Columban-Luxeuil monastic tradition; Frankish Church; evangelization of northern Gaul; Diocese of Arras (successor see) |
| Patronage | Saint-Omer, France; those with eye diseases; the blind; the Diocese of Arras; the Morini people historically |
| Attributes | Bishop's vestments; blind man's staff or covered eyes (his blindness); book (Gospels he read during brief restoration of sight); medieval Flemish city; monastery; the Aa River |
| Birthplace | Orval, Belgium (traditional) |
| Death Place | Saint-Omer, Pas-de-Calais, France |
| Cause of Death | Natural death in old age; he died c. 670 AD, blind in his final years but continuing to govern his diocese and monastery; he died as bishop at his cathedral see of Thérouanne (or at his monastery of Sithiu, the two sites being closely connected) |
| Primary Shrine | Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Saint-Omer — his principal place of veneration; his relics were in the cathedral and in the now-destroyed Abbey of Saint-Bertin; Saint-Omer city broadly is his memorial |
| Liturgical Class | Optional Memorial (Roman Rite); September 9; Feast in the Diocese of Arras (which includes Saint-Omer) |
| Historic Class | Not in universal 1962 calendar; observed locally |
Biography
Omer was born c. 595 in the Orval area (modern Belgium) and was trained as a monk at the Abbey of Luxeuil — the great Columban monastery of eastern France. He was sent from Luxeuil to become the second Bishop of Thérouanne c. 637 AD and to evangelize the pagan Morini people of northern Gaul.
He established a monastery at Sithiu (modern Saint-Omer) c. 637 AD, working with Saint Bertin, who became its first abbot. The monastery became a major center of Benedictine life and the nucleus of the city that bears Omer's name.
In his old age he lost his sight. He continued to govern his diocese blind. During a brief miraculous restoration of his sight he read the Gospels, Psalms, and Rule of Saint Benedict before losing his sight again permanently.
He died c. 670 AD.
The city of Saint-Omer (Pas-de-Calais) takes its name from him and is his principal memorial.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Orval, Belgium (traditional)
Death location: Saint-Omer, Pas-de-Calais, France
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Parishes
No parishes dedicated to Omer have been added to the database yet.
Media
| Media | Length | AuthorCreator |
|---|---|---|
| Saint Omer (Audomarus), Bishop of Therouanne - September 9th | Under 5 minutes | Saint of the Day |
Shrines
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Known shrines
- Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Saint-Omer — his principal veneration site; the city bears his name.
Feast day
September 9
Veneration
Saint Omer is the patron of the city of Saint-Omer (Pas-de-Calais) and of those with eye diseases. He evangelized the pagan Morini and founded the monastery of Sithiu that became the nucleus of the city that bears his name. His feast is September 9.
Prayers
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Intercessory
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