MEDARD, Saint. - Born in Vermandois in the second half of the 5th century. Piety, study, and charity toward the poor were the hallmarks of his youth. Around 540 he was elected bishop of the city of Veronandorum, where he remained until his death, which occurred around 557.
King Clotaire had the body of M. honorably interred in the domain of Crovi, near Soissons; his son Sigebert built a basilica dedicated to the Saint there, later the site of the famous Benedictine abbey. After his death, M. was venerated as one of the greatest wonder-workers of his time. St Gregory of Tours provides valuable references to his life, death, and miracles in his works (Hist. Francorum, IV, 19, 21, 52; IX, cap. 9; De Gloria Confessorum, cap. 95; Vitae Patrum, XIX, 2). The most reliable documents concerning M.’s life consist of a verse *Vita* attributed to Venantius Fortunatus (BHL, 5863) and a prose *Vita* composed by an unknown author between 593 and 612, during the reign of Theodebert II (BHL, 5864). His feast is celebrated on June 8.