Gérard of Brogne
Encyclopedia
Saint Gérard (ca. 895 – October 3, 959) was an abbot
of Brogne. A native of Staves (Namur
), he was a member of the family of dukes of Lower Austrasia
. Originally a soldier, he rebuilt a family chapel
into a large church and later became a monk at Saint-Denis
. He was then ordained priest
. He returned to Brogne, where he fought the laxity of clerics there and replaced them with monks. He retired to a cell near the monastery
for mortification
.
The Archbishop of Cambrai asked him to reform the community of Saint-Ghislain
in Hainault. He replaced the canons with monks. He eventually became head of 18 other abbeys in the region of present-day Belgium
. At the end of his life, he retired again to Brogne.
He also traveled to Rome
to obtain a papal bull
to confirm the privileges of Brogne Abbey.
, and Liege
on October 3, for which he is listed in the Roman Martyrology
.
Relics, considered authentic, are preserved at Saint-Gérard, the abbey of Maredsous
, Aubange
, and Ghent (in the church of Notre-Dame).http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/72650
Abbot
The word abbot, meaning father, is a title given to the head of a monastery in various traditions, including Christianity. The office may also be given as an honorary title to a clergyman who is not actually the head of a monastery...
of Brogne. A native of Staves (Namur
Namur (province)
Namur is a province of Wallonia, one of the three regions of Belgium. It borders on the Walloon provinces of Hainaut, Walloon Brabant, Liège and Luxembourg in Belgium, and on France. Its capital is the city of Namur...
), he was a member of the family of dukes of Lower Austrasia
Austrasia
Austrasia formed the northeastern portion of the Kingdom of the Merovingian Franks, comprising parts of the territory of present-day eastern France, western Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Metz served as its capital, although some Austrasian kings ruled from Rheims, Trier, and...
. Originally a soldier, he rebuilt a family chapel
Chapel
A chapel is a building used by Christians as a place of fellowship and worship. It may be part of a larger structure or complex, such as a church, college, hospital, palace, prison or funeral home, located on board a military or commercial ship, or it may be an entirely free-standing building,...
into a large church and later became a monk at Saint-Denis
Saint Denis Basilica
The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Denis is a large medieval abbey church in the commune of Saint-Denis, now a northern suburb of Paris. The abbey church was created a cathedral in 1966 and is the seat of the Bishop of Saint-Denis, Pascal Michel Ghislain Delannoy...
. He was then ordained priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
. He returned to Brogne, where he fought the laxity of clerics there and replaced them with monks. He retired to a cell near the monastery
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
for mortification
Mortification
Mortification can refer to:*Mortification , theological doctrine*Mortification of the flesh, religious practice of corporal mortification...
.
The Archbishop of Cambrai asked him to reform the community of Saint-Ghislain
Saint-Ghislain
Saint-Ghislain is a Walloon municipality located in the Belgian province of Hainaut. On 1 January 2006 the municipality had 22,466 inhabitants. The total area is 70.18 km², giving a population density of 320 inhabitants per km²....
in Hainault. He replaced the canons with monks. He eventually became head of 18 other abbeys in the region of present-day Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. At the end of his life, he retired again to Brogne.
He also traveled to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
to obtain a papal bull
Papal bull
A Papal bull is a particular type of letters patent or charter issued by a Pope of the Catholic Church. It is named after the bulla that was appended to the end in order to authenticate it....
to confirm the privileges of Brogne Abbey.
Veneration
The saint's feast day is celebrated in the dioceses of Namur, GhentGhent
Ghent is a city and a municipality located in the Flemish region of Belgium. It is the capital and biggest city of the East Flanders province. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Lys and in the Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of...
, and Liege
Bishopric of Liège
The Bishopric of Liège or Prince-Bishopric of Liège was a state of the Holy Roman Empire in the Low Countries in present Belgium. It acquired its status as a prince-bishopric between 980 and 985 when Bishop Notger, who had been the bishop of Liege since 972, acquired the status of Prince-Bishop...
on October 3, for which he is listed in the Roman Martyrology
Roman Martyrology
The Roman Martyrology is the official martyrology of the Roman Rite of the Roman Catholic Church. It provides an extensive but not exhaustive list of the saints recognized by the Church.-History:...
.
Relics, considered authentic, are preserved at Saint-Gérard, the abbey of Maredsous
Maredsous Abbey
Maredsous Abbey is a Benedictine monastery at Denée near Namur in Belgium. It is a member of the Annunciation Congregation of the Benedictine Confederation.-Foundation:...
, Aubange
Aubange
Aubange is a Walloon municipality of Belgium located in the province of Luxembourg....
, and Ghent (in the church of Notre-Dame).http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/72650