Originally from Great Britain and a disciple of his uncle Saint Samson, Méen settled in Armorica to flee the Saxons. He founded the Abbey of Gaël under the protection of Count Cadmon and became the spiritual guide of King Jodicaël. Renowned for his miracles and monastic foundations, he died in 647.
Guided reading
3 reading sections
SAINT MÉEN OR MÉVENNE,
Origins and exile in Armorica
Born in Great Britain, Meen joined his uncle Saint Samson in York before going into exile with him in Brittany to flee the Saxon invasion.
Meen Méen Abbot of Welsh origin, founder of the Abbey of Gael. or Mevenne was born in Great Britain in the year 640; his parents, as pious as they were noble, raised him in a Christian manner. Having reached adolescence, he left everything and went to his uncle, Sa int Samson, saint Samson Bishop of Dol and educator of Budoc. Bishop of York, under whose discipline he made great progress in virtue. Saint Samson, having been forced to leave England, which was invaded by the Saxons, withdrew to Dol, in Brittany, where he was immediately chosen as bishop. Meen did not separate himself from his uncle and his bishop, and he helped him with all his power to bear the burden of the episcopate.
Monastic foundations and public life
Thanks to Count Cadmon, he founded the monastery of Gaël, trained King Judicael, and established a second community near Angers.
He formed a close friendship with Cadmon, Count of Gaël, who had offered him hospitality as he was traveling. This count founded, in the vicinity, the monastery of Saint-Jean-Baptiste, which became, under the guidance of Méen, a nursery of Saints. It was he who initiated into the religious life Prince Judicael, King of Domnonia, who was placed in the rank of Saints. He predicted to Hallon, brother of King Hoël, that he would die in three days, as punishment for his crimes; and indeed, three days later, he attended him on his deathbed to exhort him to penance. He founded a second monastery near Angers, which he populated with his disciples and which he often went to visit to maintain fervor there. He died at the monastery of Gaël, around the year 647. This place and this abbey hav e since ta Saint-Méen Abbot of Welsh origin, founder of the Abbey of Gael. ken the name of Saint-Méen, because of the miracles that have taken place there through the intercession of the Saint.
Cult and liturgical recognition
After his death in 647, his abbey took his name and his cult spread throughout Brittany and England as early as the 8th century.
His tomb attracted many pilgrims. His name is found in English litanies of the 8th century, and his feast is marked as solemn in the calendars of most dioceses of Brittany, on June 21.
Proper of Vannes.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Born in Great Britain in 640
- Educated by his uncle Saint Samson in York
- Exile to Brittany (Dole) following the Saxon invasion
- Foundation of the Saint-Jean-Baptiste monastery of Gaël
- Initiation of King Jodicaël to religious life
- Foundation of a second monastery near Angers
- Died at the monastery of Gaël in 647
Miracles
- Prediction of Hallon's death within three days
- Posthumous miracles at the Abbey of Gaël attracting pilgrims