Saint Médéric

Saint Médéric, also known as Saint Merri, was born into an illustrious family in the Morvan region near Autun in France. Offered to God as a child oblate at the Abbey of Saint-Martin in Autun, he grew in a hidden life of prayer, obedience, and striking asceticism. His holiness became known beyond the cloister, and around 680 the monks chose him as abbot. Yet the honors and the crowds drawn by reports of miracles weighed on his humble heart, and he longed for solitude, even attempting to withdraw to the forests of the Morvan. Later, with his disciple Frodulphe, Médéric set out on pilgrimage toward the tombs of Saint Denis and Saint Germain. Along the way he was remembered for works of mercy and miraculous help, especially the freeing of prisoners and the healing of the sick, and for giving away gifts to the poor. Reaching Paris, he lived as a recluse near Saint-Pierre-des-Bois until he died in peace on August 29, 700. Venerated as patron of Paris’s right bank and honored at Saint-Merri, his feast day is August 29.