Saint of the Day – 8 June – St Gildard of Rouen (c 456-c 545)

Saint of the Day – 8 June – St Gildard of Rouen (c 456-c 545) Bishop of Rouen from 488 until his death in c 545, France, Confessor * Twin Brother of St Medard Also known as – Gildardus, Godard.

The Roman Martyrology states of St Medard and his twin brother, St Gildard, today: “At Soissons, in France, the birthday of St Gildard, Bishop of Rouen, whose life and precios death are illustrated by glorios miracles – at Rouen, St Gildard, Bishop, twin brother of St Medard,who was born with his brother on the same day, Consecrated Bishops at the same time and being taken away from this life, also on the same day, they entered Heaven together!”

Gildard assisted at the first Council of Orleans in 511 and governed the See of Rouen with great zeal during the space of around fifteen years, although dates are rather uncertain.

He was buried at St Mary’s in Rouen, which is since called St Gildard’s, or in French St Godard’s. His remains were removed to the Abbey of St Medard in Soissons precisely because of the ibling connection; – when the Monks of St Medard discovered this link, they argued successfully with Charles the Bald, that the brothers be reunited in death. Gildard’s body was, therefore, translated to St Medard’s at Soissons and still remains there, lying in peace, side-by-side with his twin brother. And it is from here that the cult of the twin Saints spread.

That he was twin brother of St Medard was unknown to Saints Fortunatus, Gregory of Tours and other Catholic writers.

But, there are many Churches, Convents, a Museum and more named for the two Saints in France both individually and severally.

We have more information about St Medard – his life here:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/06/08/saint-of-the-day-8-june-saint-medard-c-456-545-bishop/