Saint of the Day – 17 April – Saint Wando (c665-756) Abbot of Fontenelle/St Wandrille’s Monastery. Born in Neustria in France and died on 17 April 756 at the Abbey of Fontenelle in Normandy. Also known as – Vando… Vandone … Wanda.
Wando was born into a noble family in Neustria, France, around 665. From his youth he showed a deep inclination for religious life, so much so that, he chose to embrace the monastic vocation.
He joined the Abbey of Fontenelle, in Normandy, under the guidance of the Abbot Saint Lanfranc. Wando distinguished himself for his piety, religious fervour and obedience to the Benedictine Rule.
He was soon appointed Prior of the Monastery, a position he held with wisdom and dedication. His fame for sanctity soon spread, attracting numerous faithful to the Abbey, who desired to receive his spiritual guidance.
However, his life was not without turbulence. In 716, due to political intrigues, he was unjustly accused of treason and forced into exile. He took refuge in the Monastery of Saint Servatius in Maastricht, where he spent 28 years in exile, dedicating himself to prayer, meditation and study.
In 747, with the accession to the throne of Pepin the Short, son of Charles Martel, Wando was finally rehabilitated and recalled to the Abbey of Fontenelle. Despite his advanced age and the blindness that afflicted him, he resumed the leadership of the Monastery with the same zeal and wisdom as before.
Wando concluded his earthly existence on 17 April 754, at the age of about 90 at his beloved Fontanelle Abbey.
AnaStpaul 