Grandson of Saint Romaric, Adelphe was trained by Saint Arnulf of Metz before becoming abbot of the double monastery of Remiremont in the 7th century. Known for his extreme austerity and great humility, he led the community for seventeen years. He died in Luxeuil around 670 after traveling there for a final confession.
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SAINT ADELPHE, ABBOT OF REMIREMONT,
Youth and formation
Grandson of Saint Romaric, Adelphe was trained in Christian virtues and letters by Saint Arnulf of Metz before joining the monastery of Remiremont.
Saint Adelphe Saint Adelphe Abbot of Remiremont in the 7th century. was the grandson of Saint Romaric saint Romaric Noble converted by Amatus and co-founder of Remiremont. of Austrasia and the godso n of Saint Amé of Gre saint Amé de Grenoble Monk of Luxeuil and first abbot of Remiremont. noble, both abbots of the double monastery of Remiremont (Auendi Castrum, Romarici monz), on the left bank of the Moselle, in the diocese of Saint-Dié. As soon as he was of age, Romaric sent him to Saint Ar saint Arnoult de Metz Illustrious prelate who oversaw the education of Adelphus. nulf of Metz; it was under the guidance of this illustrious prelate that Adelphe practiced all Christian virtues and the first elements of letters. Historians praise the gentle serenity that shone on his face and was like a reflection of the purity of his soul, the beauty of his features, the sweetness of his speech, and above all his fervent piety and that spirit of detachment which made him seek his treasure and his support in God alone. Having left the discipline of Saint Arnulf, he came under that of his grandfather, who governed the monastery of Remiremont, and gave himself up before his eyes to the exercises of the most austere penance, striving to continually subdue his flesh through fasting and vigils. Moreover, charitable, disinterested, and modest, he was always ready to obey the humblest of his brothers. Thus, it was less out of a feeling of paternal tenderness than by conviction and a desire for the good that Romaric designated him as his successor in the direction of the two monasteries. Adelphe did not prove himself unworthy of such an honorable choice. At the same time that his hand, as firm as it was skillful, maintained the work of his predecessors, he strove to grow each day in fervor, in mortification, and in a spirit of renunciation. Composition had become his bread, and tears his drink. He ate only once a day, after sunset, and even then he limited himself to what was strictly necessary to sustain his life. His sister Gébétro de vied w Gébétrode Sister of Saint Adelphus. ith him in zeal for the service of God and neighbor.
Governance of Remiremont
Succeeding his grandfather Romaric, Adelphe directed the double monastery with extreme ascetic rigor, supported by his sister Gebetrude.
Saint Adelphe built up the solitude of Remiremont for seventeen years. His custom was to withdraw often to more deserted places, to pray and weep there in freedom. The more he advanced in virtue, the more he judged himself unworthy of the forgiveness of his faults: an example very fitting to confound our lukewarmness, especially if we consider that this Saint had probably preserved his robe of innocence. The Lord, as if to grant his wishes, soon came to visit him through illness. It is likely that the excess of his austerities contributed much to these pains and to this extreme weakening, which made one fear for his life at every moment. The ineffable goodness of God deigned to allow, as often happens, that the infirmities of the body might erase his interior stains; and, in the midst of his sharp and overwhelming pains, he asked with groans and torrents of tears that they might serve as a remedy for his soul. One day when his sufferings seemed to have reached their highest point, he called a priest, and, prostrating himself with his forehead against the ground, he made his confession of all the faults that his conscience could reproach him with, begging him to inflict a proportionate penance upon him. Having then summoned the monks and nuns, he said to them: "Beloved brothers and most pious sisters, I must take leave of you and go to our brothers of Luxeuil; for I also wish to mak Luxeuil Former Roman fortress that became a major monastic metropolis under Columbanus. e my confession to them, and I do not doubt that their priests will obtain for me the remission of my sins." He resigned his office to Garichramme and left fo r Luxeuil, Garichramme Successor of Adelphus as head of the monastery. where he died soon after, on September 11, around 670. His body was later transferred to his abbey: Saint Adelphe was canonized in 1051 by Leo IX.
Final days and death at Luxeuil
Weakened by his austerities, Adelphe resigned from his office and went to Luxeuil for a final confession before dying there around 670.
Excerpt from the Life of the Saints of Franche-Comté, and supplemented with the History of the Diocese of Nancy, by Abbé Guillaume.
Cult and Posterity
The saint's body was transferred to Remiremont and he was officially canonized by Pope Leo IX in 1051.
Saint Adelphus edified the solitude of Remiremont for seventeen years. It was his custom to often withdraw to more deserted places, to pray and weep there in freedom. The more he advanced in virtue, the more he judged himself unworthy of the forgiveness of his faults: an example well suited to confound our lukewarmness, especially if we consider that this Saint had probably preserved his robe of innocence. The Lord, as if to grant his wishes, soon came to visit him through illness. It is likely that the excess of his austerities contributed much to these pains and to this extreme weakening, which made one fear for his days at every moment. The ineffable goodness of God deigned to allow, as often happens, that the infirmities of the body should erase the interior stains within him; and, in the midst of his sharp and overwhelming pains, he asked with groans and torrents of tears that they might serve as a remedy for his soul. One day when his sufferings seemed to have reached their highest point, he called a priest, and, prostrating himself with his forehead to the ground, he made his confession of all the faults that his conscience could reproach him with, begging him to inflict a proportionate penance upon him. Having then summoned the monks and nuns, he said to them: "Beloved brothers and most pious sisters, I must take leave of you and go to our brothers of Luxeuil; for I also wish to make my confession to them, and I do not doubt that their priests will obtain for me the remission of my sins." He resigned his office to Garichrammus and left for Luxeuil, where he died soon after, on September 11, around 670. His body was later transferred to his abbey: Saint Adelphus was canonized in 1051 by Leo IX.
Excerpt from the Vie des Saints de Franche-Comté, and supplemented with the Histoire du diocèse de Nancy, by Abbé Guillaume.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Education under Saint Arnulf of Metz
- Entered the monastery of Remiremont under the guidance of his grandfather Romaric
- Designated as successor to Romaric at the head of the two monasteries
- Governed the solitude of Remiremont for seventeen years
- Resignation from his office in favor of Garichramme
- Final journey to Luxeuil for confession and death
- Canonized in 1051 by Leo IX
Quotes
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Beloved brothers and most pious sisters, I must take my leave of you and go to our brothers at Luxeuil; for I also wish to make my confession to them, and I do not doubt that their priests will obtain for me the remission of my sins.
Words reported at the time of his departure for Luxeuil