MEDARDO, saint. - Born in Vermandois in the second half of the 5th century. Piety, learning, and charity toward the poor were the distinguishing features of his youth. Around 540 he was elected bishop of the civitas Veromanduorum, where he remained until his death, that is, around 557.
King Clotario had the body of M. honorably buried in the lordship of Crovy, near Soissons; his son Sigeberto built there a basilica dedicated to the Saint, where the celebrated Benedictine abbey later arose. After his death, M. was venerated as one of the greatest thaumaturges of his time. St. Gregorio di Tours includes in his works valuable references to the life, death, and miracles of M. (Hist. Francorum, IV, 19, 21, 52; IX, cap. 9; De Gloria Confessorum, cap. 95; Vitae Patrum, XIX, 2). The most reliable documents concerning the life of M. consist of a Vita in verse attributed to Venanzio Fortunato (BHL, 5863), and a Vita in prose composed by an anonymous author between 593 and 612, under the reign of Teodeberto II (BHL, 5864). His feast is celebrated on 8 June.