Paternus
Encyclopedia
Saint Paternus of Avranches in Normandy
(c. 482-565) was born around the year 482, although the exact year is unknown, in Poitiers
, Poitou
. He was born into a Christian
family. His father Patranus went to Ireland
to spend his days as a hermit
in holy solitude. Because of this, Paternus embraced religious life. He became a monk at the Abbey
of Marnes
in France
. Later on, St Paternus went to Wales
where he built a monastery called Llanpatenvaur. Before long, he wished to attain the perfection of Christian virtue by a life of penance
in solitude. He went into solitude with his fellow monk, Saint Scubilion. The forest of Seicy in the diocese of Coutances was the place he became a hermit.
At a later date, the abbot
of the region who knew Paternus recommended him to the Bishop of Coutances and the bishop made him a priest
in 512. Together with St Scubilion he evangelized the western coasts and established several monasteries
of which he was made the abbot general.
Feast day: April 16
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
(c. 482-565) was born around the year 482, although the exact year is unknown, in Poitiers
Poitiers
Poitiers is a city on the Clain river in west central France. It is a commune and the capital of the Vienne department and of the Poitou-Charentes region. The centre is picturesque and its streets are interesting for predominant remains of historical architecture, especially from the Romanesque...
, Poitou
Poitou
Poitou was a province of west-central France whose capital city was Poitiers.The region of Poitou was called Thifalia in the sixth century....
. He was born into a Christian
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
family. His father Patranus went to Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
to spend his days as a hermit
Hermit
A hermit is a person who lives, to some degree, in seclusion from society.In Christianity, the term was originally applied to a Christian who lives the eremitic life out of a religious conviction, namely the Desert Theology of the Old Testament .In the...
in holy solitude. Because of this, Paternus embraced religious life. He became a monk at the Abbey
Abbey
An abbey is a Catholic monastery or convent, under the authority of an Abbot or an Abbess, who serves as the spiritual father or mother of the community.The term can also refer to an establishment which has long ceased to function as an abbey,...
of Marnes
Marnes
Marnes is the name or part of the name of three communes of France:*Marnes, Deux-Sèvres in the Deux-Sèvres département*Marnes-la-Coquette in the Hauts-de-Seine département*Saint-Jouin-de-Marnes in the Deux-Sèvres département...
in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. Later on, St Paternus went to Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
where he built a monastery called Llanpatenvaur. Before long, he wished to attain the perfection of Christian virtue by a life of penance
Penance
Penance is repentance of sins as well as the proper name of the Roman Catholic, Orthodox Christian, and Anglican Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation/Confession. It also plays a part in non-sacramental confession among Lutherans and other Protestants...
in solitude. He went into solitude with his fellow monk, Saint Scubilion. The forest of Seicy in the diocese of Coutances was the place he became a hermit.
At a later date, the abbot
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 the region who knew Paternus recommended him to the Bishop of Coutances and the bishop made him a 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...
in 512. Together with St Scubilion he evangelized the western coasts and established several monasteries
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...
of which he was made the abbot general.
Feast day: April 16
Further reading
- "Vita Sancti Paterni": the Life of Saint Padarn and the original "Miniu"; edited and translated with a commentary by Charles Thomas and David Howlett. Lampeter: Trivium Publications, 2003.