Saint of the Day – 20 July – St Wulmar (Died 689) Priest, Founder Abbot of the Monastery of Saint-Vulmaire in Boulogne, France, Hermit, Born near Boulogne in Picardy, France and died in the same region at his Abbey in 689). Patronage – Samer, France. Also known – as Ulmar, Ulmer, Vilmarus, Volmar, Vulmaro, Vulmarus.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Boulogne, in France, the Abbot St Wulmar, a man of admirable sanctity.”
Wulmar was born near the Village of Picardy in the Province of Boulogne in France. Although he was married, he was separated by force from his wife, she having been originally promised to another was taken from Wulmar to fulfil this prior agreement, the marriage to Wulmar being declared null and void. Wulmar was inspired to join the Abbey of Hautmont in Hainaul.
His piety and devotion, even in his humble duties of keeping the cattle and hewing wood for the community, brought him to the attention of the Superiors. Upon observation, he was found to be a worthy candidate for Ordination and promoted to the dignity of the Priesthood.
Later, he obtained the consent of his Superiors to leave the Abbey and live his life alone as a Hermit near Mount Cassel. For several years he fulfilled this desire by living a life of solitude, prayer and fasting, intent on drawing ever closer to the Lord.
Becoming well-known and drawing disciples to himself, Wulman founded the Abbey of Samer, near Calais, where he served as the Abbot.
When Wulmar died this Monastery was re-named Saint-Vulmar in his honour and existed until the French Revolution.
Wulmar also founded the Convent for cloistered Nuns at Wierre-aux-Bois, about a mile from his own Monastery, for his Niece, Saint Eremberta.
St Wulmar has been glorified by miracles and his Relics were conveyed to Boulogne and from there to the Abbey of St Peter at Ghent.
AnaStpaul 