Saint of the Day – 12 May – St Modoaldus (Died c640) Bishop of Trier, Germany. Brother of Saint Severa of Saint Gemma. Uncle of Saint Gertrude of Nivelles, Saint Begga of Ardenne and Saint Modesta of Trier. Counselor to King Dagobert I of the Franks. Born in Aquitaine, France and died in c640 in Trier, Germany of natural causes. Patronage – of the Village of Reichsabtei. Also known as – Modoald, Modoaldo, Modowald, Modowandus, Modwald, Romoald, Romoaldus.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Trier, St Modoaldus, Bishop.”
Modoaldus was born in Aquitaine to an aristocratic family and spent much of his life in close contact with the Merovingian Kings, whose shortcomings, according to Saint Gregory of Tours, influenced Modoald’s career.
King Dagobert I, at whose ourt he lived, assigned him to the Episcopal Aee of Trier while still very young, but this did not prevent the young Bishop from reproaching the Sovereign for the immorality which characterised his and his Court’s lifestyle.
Only towards the end of his life, however, did the Sovereign repent and try to amend his ways. He, therefore, wanted Modoaldus as his spiritual advisor and generously donated to him, land and money for the foundation of new Monasteries.
However, not many details of the life of Saint Modoaldus are known. He took part in the Council of Rheims in 625 and Ordained the future Martyr, Saint Germanus of Munster-Granfelden to the Priesthood. St Germanus had been Modoaldus’ disciple.
He was also a friend of Saint Desiderius of Cahors. Modoaldus’ Episcopate probably lasted about twenty years, until his death in c640.
In 1107 St Modoaldus’ Relics were translated to Paderborn in Germany.
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