Saint Lambert of Lyon
Bishop of Lyon
Born in the diocese of Thérouanne and educated at the court of Clotaire III, Lambert renounced the world to become a monk and later Abbot of Fontenelles in 665. Founder of the monastery of Donzère and close to the Merovingian kings, he was appointed Bishop of Lyon around 679. He died in 688 after an episcopate whose details have been lost to the ravages of time.
Guided reading
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SAINT LAMBERT, BISHOP OF LYON (688).
Youth at court and conversion
Born in the diocese of Thérouanne, Lambert initially led a secular life at the court of Clotaire III before renouncing honors for the religious life.
Lambert Lambert Subject of the biography, abbot of Fontenelle and later bishop of Lyon. or Landebert was born in the d iocese of Thérouanne. diocèse de Thérouanne Episcopal see of Saint Folquin. He was raised in a rather secular manner, following the rank that his birth seemed destined to give him one day in the world. His parents sent him very young to the court of France, where he soon won the esteem of the great by his fine qualities and his merit. He was highly regarded by the young King Clo taire III; t Clotaire III King of the Franks who ordered the appointment of Erembert. he door to honors was about to open for him, when he renounced all the advantages of the century, to serve only God and work more freely for the salvation of his soul.
Abbot of Fontenelles
Under the guidance of Saint Wandrille at the monastery of Fontenelles, he distinguished himself by his virtue and succeeded his master as abbot in 665.
He came to place himself under the discipline of the famous abbot Sa saint Wandrille Abbot of Fontenelle and spiritual master of Lambert. int Wandrille, who g overned the monastery of monastère de Fontenelles Monastery where Lambert was a monk and later abbot. Fontenelles, in the Pays de Caux. His hair was cut, he was clothed in the monastic habit, and he distinguished himself so much by the innocence of his morals and the holiness of his entire conduct that, after the death of Wandrille, he was elected to succeed him (665). The wisdom he displayed in his administration soon carried his reputation very far. The court, which had once admired in him the finest qualities of body and mind, admired his virtue no less, and considered him a great servant of God.
Influence and disciples
Benefiting from the favor of kings Childebert II and Theuderic, he founded the monastery of Donzère and trained numerous disciples and future saints.
The kings wished to benefit from his examples and his counsel. Childebert II honored him very particularly, had entire confidence in him, and made great donations to his abbey. King T heuderic, h roi Thierry King of the Franks who made donations to Saint Condedus. aving succeeded his brother in 673, was no less respectful, nor less liberal towards our Saint. He gave him, among other goods, the land of Donzère, o n the R Donzère Monastery founded by Lambert in Vivarais. hône, in Vivarais, where Lambert built a monastery. Among the disciples whom he caused to advance with great strides in the spiritual life, according to the maxims of the holy Fathers, one counts his uncle, Sai nt Albert; Sa saint Erbland Disciple of Lambert, first abbot of Aindre. int Erbland, whom he sent to the diocese of Nantes to be the first abbo t of Aindre; S saint Erembert Former bishop of Toulouse who became a disciple of Lambert. aint Erembert, who left his bishopric of Toulouse to come to Fontenelles to serve God under his guidance; Saint Condé, a priest and hermit from England, drawn by his reputation, and whom he later charged with founding the monastery of Belsignac, on an island at the mouth of the Seine.
Episcopate in Lyon and end of life
Appointed Bishop of Lyon around 679, he spent the end of his life between his episcopal duties and retreats in Donzère before passing away around 688.
The church of Lyon having lost Saint Genesius, its bishop, around the year 6 Lambert Subject of the biography, abbot of Fontenelle and later bishop of Lyon. 79, Lambert was drawn from his monastery to replace him, upon the recommendation of the king, and with the consent of the clergy and the people. The injury of time has caused the history of the second part of our Saint's life to perish. We are ignorant of the details of his episcopate. We read, however, in the History of Vivarais, that Saint Lambert loved to come and relax in the silence of retreat at the abbey of Donzère, in the diocese of Viviers, which he had founded while still abbot of Fontenelle. The monastery of Donzère disappeared during t Sarrasins Muslim invaders against whom Cizy fought. he Saracen invasion. As for Saint Lambert, he died around the year 688. Baronius, Godescard and Histoire relig. et polit. du Vivarais, by Abbé Rouchier, vol. 127, p. 317, 348.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Education at the French court under Clotaire III
- Entered the monastery of Fontenelles under Saint Wandrille
- Elected abbot of Fontenelles in 665
- Foundation of the monastery of Donzère in Vivarais
- Appointed Bishop of Lyon around 679