A noble lady of the 7th century born at La Roche-Guyon, Domane led an exemplary life alongside her husband Saint Germer. After the loss of their three children, the couple separated to dedicate themselves to God. She ended her days as a recluse at Gasny, where she founded a religious asylum near the tomb of Saint Nicaise.
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SAINT DOMANE OR DOMAINE OF LA ROCHE-GUYON,
RECLUSE AT GASNY, IN THE DIOCESE OF ÉVREUX (658).
Origins and secular life
Born at La Roche-Guyon, Domane was a descendant of Saint Piencé. She married Germer, lord of Vardes and a close associate of King Dagobert I, with whom she led a life of exemplary charity.
Domane was born at the castl e of La Roche- la Roche-Guyon Place of the conversion of Saint Pience. Guyon, a small town in the Seine-et-Oise department, located three leagues from Mantes. She was said to be a descendant of th e bles Piencé A noble widow converted by Nicaise, who ensured his burial before being martyred. sed Piencé, who had been converted about five cen turies earlie saint Nicaise First archbishop of Rouen and martyr of the Vexin. r by Saint N icais Vexin Region of the martyrdom and apostolate of Saint Nicaise. e, apostle of the Vexin. The legacy of virtues that the illustrious martyr had left to her family was fully gathered by our Saint.
From her earliest years, Domane showed a touching modesty, a great love of God, and an unreserved submission to the wishes of her parents: mothers could not propose to their daughters a more perfect model for the fulfillment of the duties imposed upon their age. Such exemplary conduct drew upon her the favors of heaven. God, who always blesses the humble and chaste young girl, willed that Domane should have a Saint for a hus band. Germer Husband of Saint Domane and lord at the court of Dagobert I. Married to Germer, lord of Vardes, and already power ful at the c Dagobert Ier King of the Franks petitioned by Sulpicius to annul a tax. ourt of Dagobert I, she vied in ardor and zeal with this virtuous Christian in the practice of the law of God. The poor, the churches, and the monasteries shared in their liberality, of which Domane was most often the generous distributor. The religious venerated her as a mother, while, through the services she rendered them, one would have taken her for their servant.
Trials and religious separation
After the loss of her two daughters, Domane and her husband decide by mutual agreement to separate in order to devote themselves entirely to God and the spiritual life.
Having given birth to three children, including two daughters and a son named Am Amalbert Son of Saint Domane and Saint Germer. albert, Domane raised them more for heaven than for earth; thus, God called them to Him early. Her two daughters died first, and went to offer Jesus Christ their virgin's crown: the eldest, at the moment she was about to receive a mortal husband; and the youngest, after having chosen the Lord as her inheritance in a monastery. When Domane had their remains laid to rest in the church of Saint-Remi de Vardes, she resolved to spend the rest of her days in solitude; and, as the voice of God was also calling her husband there, they separated so that both might occupy themselves only with the grave interests of eternity.
Foundation of the monastery of Gasny
Following the death of her son Amalbert and on the advice of Saint Ouen, she founded a religious asylum at Gasny, near the tomb of Saint Nicaise, where she ended her days.
Having returned to La Roche-Guyo la Roche-Guyon Place of the conversion of Saint Pience. n, to her family, the Saint lived there for some time separated from the world. Soon, the death of her young son Amalbert came to break the last tie that could still attach her to the earth. From then on, following the advice of Saint Ouen, she founded at Gasny, next to the tomb of Saint saint Nicaise First archbishop of Rouen and martyr of the Vexin. Nicaise and his companions, a religious asylum where she made for herself an even more perfect solitude. Entirely devoted to God and to the salvation of her soul, she no longer allowed any noise from the outside to penetrate to her. When the cup of her merits was full, she ended with the death of the righteous a life spent in the exercise of virtue and the meditation of eternal truths.
Cult and iconography
Honored for her miracles, notably at Gasny, she is traditionally depicted alongside her husband Saint Germer and their son Saint Amalbert.
God testified, through miracles performed at the tomb of Domane, that He had admitted her into His glory. From time immemorial, several churches i n the Vexin Region of the martyrdom and apostolate of Saint Nicaise. Vexin have rendered her public worship. She was especially honored in the priory of Gasny, where her holy relics had been deposited.
Saint Domane is depicted in the company o f Saint Germer of Vard saint Germer de Vardes Husband of Saint Domane and lord at the court of Dagobert I. es, her husband, a nd Saint Amalb saint Amalbert Son of Saint Domane and Saint Germer. ert, their son.
Excerpt from the Life of the Saints of the Diocese of Bea uvais, by Abbé l'abbé Sabatier Author of the biographical source. Sabatier.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Marriage to Germer, Lord of Vardes
- Birth of three children (Amalbert and two daughters)
- Premature death of her three children
- Separation from her husband for religious life
- Foundation of a religious asylum in Gasny under the advice of Saint Ouen
- Life as a recluse in Gasny until her death
Miracles
- Miracles performed at her tomb after her death