Saint of the Day – 15 November – Saint Malo (c520-621) the 1st Bishop of Aleth in Brittany, France, Missionary, one of the Seven Founding Saints of Brittany, disciple and companion of St Brendan the Navigato on his renowned voyages, Founder of Monateries, Churches and a City names after him, Miracle-worker. Born on 27 March c520 at Llancarfan, Wales and died possibly on 15 November 621 (aged 101) in Archambiac, Aquitaine, France. Patronages – of his hometown of Llancarfan, Wales and of Saint-Malo, the City name for him in Brittany, France. Also known as – Malo of Aleth, Malo de Phily, Malo of Brittan, Mac’h Low… Machutus… Maclou… Maclovio… Maclovius… Macuto…
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Bretagne, the birthday of St Malo, Bishop, who was glorious for miracles from his early years.”
Malo was the son of Dervel, sister of Amwn Ddu and, therefore, a cousin to St Samson. He was placed in the Abbot’s care in the Llancarfan Abbey in Wales, at a tender age and grew up at the Abbey, where he was Ordained Priest and assigned the office of preacher.
As a Monk at Llancarfan Abbey, Malo was known for his participation in the voyages of St Brendan the Navigator. Malo became Brendan’s favourite disciple.
A number of legendary tales of the adventures of Brendan and Malo survive. According to the Voyage of St Brendan the Abbot, they and their companions discovered the ‘Island of the Blest.’ Another tale tells of an encounter with Maclovius, a dead giant whom Brendan temporarily revived and baptised.
On a second voyage, Brendan and Malo visited and evangelised locations including the Orkney Islands and the northern isles of Scotland.
They travelled to the coast of France and landed in Brittany . At Aleth, Malo served under a venerable Hermit named Aaron. Upon Aaron’s death in 544, Malo continued the spiritual rule of the district subsequently known as Saint-Malo and was Consecrated as the 1st Bishop of Aleth (now Saint Servan). Many miracles are related of his missionary work there.
In old age, the disorder on the island compelled Malo to leave but the people soon begged him to return. He obliged his faithful and returned to restore order. Feeling near the end of his life, Malo was determined to spend his last days in solitary penance. He died at an advanced age during a journey from Aleth to a neighbouring Town.
The City of Saint-Malo is one of the Seven stages in the ‘Tour of Brittany’ a pilgrimage celebrating the Seven Founding Saints.
Pontoise Cathedral near Paris, is dedicated to Saint Malo. Lesmahagow Priory in South Lanarkshire is also dedicated to him in the Latin form of his name, Machutus. He is the Patron Saint of the Churches of St Maughans and Llanfaenor in Monmouthshire and Llanfechell in Anglesey.
For St Brendan see here:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/05/16/saint-of-the-day-16-may-st-brendan-the-navigator-c-484-c-577/
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