Saint Leodegarius of Autun

Biography

Saint Leodegarius of Autun, also known as Leodegar or Leger, was born around the year 616. He was the son of nobles Bobilo and Saint Sigrada and had a brother named Gerinus. Leodegarius grew up in the court of King Clotaire II and received an excellent education. As a young man, Leodegarius studied in Poitiers, France, under the guidance of his uncle, who was the bishop of Poitiers. He later became a deacon in Poitiers and involved himself in diocesan administration. Recognizing his deep religious calling, Leodegarius was ordained as a priest and eventually became a monk at Maxentius Abbey in 650. In 651, he was appointed as the abbot of Maxentius Abbey, a position he held for six years. During his time as abbot, Leodegarius implemented the Benedictine Rule in the abbey, bringing about spiritual and disciplinary reforms. He later became an esteemed advisor to Queen Saint Bathild and served as a tutor to her children. In 663, Leodegarius was appointed as the bishop of Autun. His tenure as bishop was marked by his efforts to combat the heresy of Manichaeism and reform the secular clergy. He emphasized the administration of the sacraments, particularly baptism, and championed the Creed of Saint Athanasius. Leodegarius devoted himself to strengthening the faith and spiritual life of the people under his care. However, his work as a bishop and his support of Childeric over the powerful Ebroin for the throne brought him into conflict with influential rulers and groups. In 675, he was exiled to Luxeuil, France. Leodegarius later returned to Autun at the request of King Theodoric III, following the death of Childeric. During this time, the city of Autun came under attack, and Leodegarius arranged a surrender to prevent its destruction. Tragically, Leodegarius fell into the hands of his enemy, Ebroin. He was subjected to horrific tortures, including having his eyes gouged out with a gimlet and his lips cut off. Ebroin accused Leodegarius of instigating the murder of Childeric and had him imprisoned at Fécamp Monastery in Normandy, where he endured further torture and was ultimately executed. Saint Leodegarius of Autun is often represented in art as a man having his eyes bored out with a gimlet or as a bishop holding a gimlet or a hook with two prongs. He is venerated as a martyr and remembered for his steadfast faith and courage in the face of persecution. Saint Leodegarius' feast day is celebrated on October 2nd. His relics were initially translated to the Abbey of Saint Maxentius in 782. They were later moved to Rennes and then to Ebreuil, which was subsequently renamed Saint-Leger in his honor. His relics were finally translated to the cathedral of Autun and to Soissons, France. Saint Leodegarius is revered as the patron saint against blindness, eye problems, sore eyes, blind people, millers, and several towns and regions, including Saint-Léger-en-Gaume in Belgium, Autun and Guebwiller in France, Murbach and Wessobrunn in Germany, and Lucerne in Switzerland. He was canonized as a saint before the formalization of the canonization process, making him a Pre-Congregation saint.