Originally from Auvergne, Saint Constantien was a monk at Micy before retiring as a hermit in Maine. Having become abbot of Javron under the protection of King Clotaire I, he distinguished himself by his missionary zeal and his miracles. His relics, transferred to Breteuil in the 11th century, are invoked against madness and headaches.
Guided reading
4 reading sections
SAINT CONSTANTIEN, ABBOT OF JAVRON,
Monastic formation and vocation
Originally from Auvergne, Constantien trained for monastic life at Micy before seeking solitude in Maine with his companion Frimbaud.
Saint Constantien Saint Constantine Monk of Auvergnat origin, founder of the monastery of Javron in the 6th century. , born i n Auverg Auvergne Region of the martyrdom of Saint Antolian. ne, dedicated himself to the service of God from his earliest years. Having completed his apprenticeship in monastic life in his own country, he withdrew to the dio cese of Orléans, monastère de Micy Monastery in the Diocese of Orléans where the saint was trained. to the monastery of Micy, which then enjoyed great renown under t he direction of th saint abbé Maximin Abbot of the monastery of Micy. e holy abbot M aximin. There saint Frimbaud Compatriot and companion in solitude of Constantien. he found Saint Frimbaud, his compatriot, who had spent some time in the solitude of Ivry, near Paris. The desire for greater perfection inspired both of them to resolve to seek some remote desert where they would be unknown to the world. They stopped in the forest of Nur, in the territory of Herbon (Javron), in the regio Javron Place of the saint's monastery foundation in Maine. n of Maine. Saint Inn ocent, Bishop Saint Innocent Bishop of Le Mans who ordained Constantianus. of Le Mans, later compelled Constantien to receive holy orders, so that he might be useful to the inhabitants of the neighboring villages. His zeal, his gentleness, his examples, and his prayers brought about a great number of conversions. He continued his missions under Saint Dommole, successor to Saint Innocent.
Ministry, miracles, and foundation
Ordained a priest by the Bishop of Le Mans, he evangelized the region, performed miracles, and founded the monastery of Javron under royal protection.
Miracles also aided his preaching. There was a blind man to whom he restored sight during the celebration of Mass, by praying and making the sign of the cross over him. He predicted to King Chlothar I, who was going t roi Clotaire Ier King of the Franks who supported the foundation of the monastery. o wage war in Brittany, where the revolt of his son Chramn was being supported, that he would achieve victory. To offer a refuge to the increasingly numerous disciples who gathered around God, he built a monastery on a piece of land that had been ceded to him, among others by the king. This monastery was long illustrious, enjoying all the privileges of royal foundations, complete independence in its internal administration, and under the protection of the monarch, who defended its properties from any external vexation. Subsequently, it was reduced to the condition of a simple priory dependent on the Abbey of Saint-Julien of Tours. He composed a rule in which the reflection of divine wisdom shone; having designated his successor, he fell asleep in the Lord on December 1st, around the year 570.
Translation of relics and cult
His relics, transferred from Le Mans to Breteuil for political and security reasons, became the object of great devotion there, particularly for the healing of madness.
The body of the holy abbot, long kept at the monastery of Javron, was later carried to the cathedral of Le Mans, for fear of the Normans. But around the middle of the 11th century, Avisgoud, in order to defend himself against the vexations of Ilébert, Count of Le Mans, needed the hel Breteuil Final resting place of the saint's relics. p of Gilduin of Breteuil, his relative; he gave him as a reward the relics of Saint Constantien, with which the newly restored monastery of Breteuil, in the diocese of Beauvais, was enriched. From that moment on, Saint Constantien was counted among the patrons of Breteuil; he soon enjoyed great veneration throughout the country, because of the miracles he performed particularly in favor of those who were afflicted with madness or who suffered from headaches. A precious testimony to cite regarding the frequency of these miracles and the devotion they inspired in the people is that which Pope Innocent IV rendered in t pape Innocent IV 13th-century pope who testified to the saint's miracles. he 13th century.
The holy body is still preserved today in the small town of Breteuil, still in possession of the trust and homage of the faithful.
Sources of the saint's life
The information comes from the works of Dom Paul Pielin and Abbé Sabatier on the dioceses of Le Mans and Beauvais.
Excerpt from Beauvais; History of the Church of Le Mans, by the Rev. Fr. Dom Paul Pielin; Lives of the Saints of the Diocese of Beauvais, by M. the Abbé Sabatier.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Monastic apprenticeship in Auvergne
- Retreat at the monastery of Micy
- Settled in the forest of Nur (Javron) with Saint Frimbaud
- Priestly ordination by Saint Innocent of Le Mans
- Preaching and conversions under Saint Dommole
- Prediction of victory for King Chlothar I against his son Chramn
- Foundation of the monastery of Javron
- Drafting of a monastic rule
Miracles
- Healing of a blind man during Mass by the sign of the cross
- Gift of prophecy concerning the victory of Chlothar I
- Posthumous cures for madness and headaches