Saint Audebert of Senlis
Bishop of Senlis in the 7th century, Audebert began his religious life as an anchorite at Villemétrie before being called to the priesthood and then to the episcopate. Despite a forced exile under the Mayor of the Palace Ebroin, he governed his diocese for nearly fifty years, notably founding the monastery of Crépy. He died at the age of ninety around the year 700.
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SAINT AUDEBERT, BISHOP OF SENLIS AND CONFESSOR (700).
Youth and ascetic life
Born in Senlis, Audebert distinguished himself early by his piety and chose to live as a hermit in Villemétrie before being ordained a priest by Bishop Agmare.
Audebert, born in the city of Senlis ville de Senlis Birthplace and episcopal see of the saint. , was, from childhood, filled with the superior gifts of grace. Endowed with pure affection for everyone, innocent in his ways, of a penetrating mind, and an assiduous disciple of the wise, he began early on to be powerful in knowledge and virtue. Renouncing all the goods of the world, he resolved to choose the better part among the clergy and retired to Villemétrie Villemétrie Place of ascetic retreat near Senlis. , near a fountain, not far from the city, to attend more freely to the things of heaven. In the manner of the anchorites, while spending his life in work and penance, he never ceased his prayer, his readings, and the contemplation of eternal things. For all these qualities and merits, he was raised to the priesthood by the blessed pontiff A gmare, so that he might pr bienheureux pontife Agmare Bishop of Senlis and predecessor of Audebert. oduce abundant fruits by procuring the salvation of souls.
Episcopate and monastic foundations
Succeeding Agmare with the support of Queen Balthild, he became Bishop of Senlis and founded the double monastery of Crépy.
The blessed prelate was not deceived in his hope, since the new priest obtained such a great reput Senlis Birthplace and episcopal see of the saint. ation for piety and religion in Senlis that he was requested, by the suffrage of the people and the clergy, as the succes sor of Agmare Bishop of Senlis and predecessor of Audebert. Agmare, when the latter had departed from this world. Saint Que reine sainte Bathilde Queen of the Franks who confirmed the election of Audebert. en Balthild, to whom he was agreeable for his renown of virtue, having confirmed this election, he was c onsecrated by the blessed La bienheureux Lambert, de Lyon Bishop of Lyon who consecrated Audebert. mbert of Lyon. An excellent pastor, commendable for his very great piety, remarkable for his prudence, animated by an extreme solicitude for all that concerned the poor and the clergy, he neglected nothing that regarded the good government of his church; he also founded some monasteries, in the first place that of Crépy, in honor of Sa int Agatha: i sainte Agathe Patron saint of the monastery of Crépy. t was double, that is to say, there was a monastery for men and another for women; in both, through his care, flourished the zeal of discipline and the love of perfection.
Persecution, exile and death
Persecuted by the Mayor of the Palace Ebroin, he suffered exile before returning to his see, participating in several councils, and passing away around the year 700.
In his old age, Audebert had to suffer many molestations from Ebroin, Mayor of the Palace, oppressor of the people and the Church; he was exiled with several excellent bishops, and it was only after the death of the tyrant that the beloved Pontiff was able to return to the midst of his people. He attended various councils, notably those of Paris, Sens, Thérouanne, Soissons, and Corbie. Finally, after having governed his church for about half a century, having reached the age of ninety, he rested in peace in the Lord, around the year 700, on the 9th of February, and he was buried in the church of Saint-Rieul, where his relics have been preserved with the honor due to them. A chapel once existed in his honor at Villemétrie, near the fountain th Villemétrie Place of ascetic retreat near Senlis. at has retained the name of Saint-Audebert.
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*Proper of Beauvais.*
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Key Events
- Retreat at Villemétrie as an anchorite
- Ordination to the priesthood by Agmare
- Election to the episcopal see of Senlis
- Consecrated by the blessed Lambert of Lyon
- Foundation of the double monastery of Crépy
- Exiled by the Mayor of the Palace Ebroin
- Participation in the councils of Paris, Sens, Thérouanne, Soissons, and Corbie