May 15th 8th century

Saint Franchy

Hermit in Nivernais

Feast
May 15th
Death
vers le milieu du VIIIe siècle (naturelle)
Categories
hermit , monk

A monk at the monastery of Saint-Martin de la Bretonnière, Franchy distinguished himself by his piety and a miracle related to baking. After the destruction of his monastery, he lived as a hermit with Brother Antoine before returning to die in his native land in the 8th century. His cult is particularly rooted in the diocese of Nevers.

Guided reading

6 reading sections

SAINT FRANCHY, HERMIT IN NIVERNAIS (8th century).

Life 01 / 06

Youth and monastic life

Born in the Amagnes, Franchy entered the monastery of Saint-Martin de la Bretonnière early on to lead a religious life.

Born in the Amagnes Amagnes Region of origin of Saint Franchy, cleared by monks. — or Terres aux Moines, so named because the monks had cleared them — Franchy retired early to the monastery of Saint-Martin de la Bretonnière.

Miracle 02 / 06

The Trial and the Miracle of the Bread

A victim of his brothers' jealousy, Franchy performed a miracle by preparing bread without the necessary tools, which had been hidden by his envious peers.

God once permitted the demon of jealousy to enter the earthly paradise, so we should not be surprised if sometimes the same demon wreaks havoc even in the most perfect houses: this is what happened regarding Saint Franchy. His entirely holy life, his love of discipline, and all his virtues were a condemnation of the lukewarm and lax life of some of his brothers, and they did not delay in setting traps for him. As he knew how to adapt to all the needs of the house and make himself fit for all duties, he was one day tasked with making the bread necessary for the monastery; but his envious peers, desiring to make him fail, hid all the bakery instruments. Franchy, not finding them, placed his trust in God: this trust was not deceived; he made the sign of the cross, began his work, even though he did not have what was necessary, and the bread was ready on time and perfectly prepared.

Life 03 / 06

Exile and eremitic life

After the destruction of his monastery by war, Franchy retired into solitude with Brother Antoine to lead a life of asceticism.

In these times of continuous wars, monasteries were not spared; that of Saint-Martin de la Bretonnière was devastated and consumed by flames.

Franchy made the resolution to retire into solitude: this is what he did with one of the brothers named Antoine. There, the y led t Antoine Priest hidden near Pisa who baptized Tropez. he most mortified life, living on herbs and roots. Having reached an advanced age, Saint Franchy resolved to return to his native soil; he therefore set out with Brother Antoine, but his strength failed him and he was on the point of remaining on the road. However, God willed that he should be, after his death, the protector of the places he had built up in his childhood and during his life; two untamed bulls, says the legend, appeared: Antoine prepared a yoke and a kind of vehicle for them, on which he placed the holy old man, who was thus able to reach his native land, where he died full of virtues and merits, towards the middle of the 8th century. A monastery was built, under the protection of the Saint, on the very spot where he had spent his childhood. In the 9th century, the church of this monastery held an abbatial title; it was burned down shortly after; and, in 1031, Hugh II, Bi shop of N Hugues II Bishop of Nevers who reorganized the assets of the Abbey of Saint-Franchy in 1031. evers, ceded to the canons of his church all the dependencies of the Abbey of Saint-Franchy. A church was rebuilt there, which became a parish church. Several other churches in the diocese of Never s are under his i diocèse de Nevers The saint's first episcopal see. nvocation, among others that of Amazy. The old p arish Amazy Locality possessing a church dedicated to Saint Franchy. of Poussignol, now unite d with Bli Poussignol Former parish honoring the saint as patron. smes, also honored him as its patron. We have no details on the relics of Saint Franchy. We read in the Legendary of Autun that they were transported to the Abb ey of Autun Burgundian diocese associated with the saint's burial. Saint-Symphorien in that city. The d ate of this translation is abbaye de Saint-Symphorien Abbey that housed the relics of Ardaing. not indicated.

Miracle 04 / 06

Miraculous return and passing

Weakened by age, he returned to his native land thanks to two untamed bulls that transported him, before dying in the middle of the 8th century.

The feast of Saint Franchy was formerly celebrated on May 16; it was moved forward by one day because of its occurrence with that of Saint saint Pélérin Saint whose feast day coincides with that of Saint Franchy. Pelerin.

Cult 05 / 06

Cult and ecclesial heritage

A monastery and later a parish church were erected at his birthplace, while several churches in the diocese of Nevers are dedicated to him.

Hagiology of Nevers. Hagiologie de Nevers Textual source for the biography.

Cult 06 / 06

Translation of relics and feast day

His relics were transferred to Autun and his liturgical feast was set for May 15 to avoid conflict with that of Saint Peregrinus.

Franchy resolved to withdraw into solitude: this he did with one of the brothers named Anthony. There, they led the most mortified life, living on herbs and roots. Having reached an advanced age, Saint Franchy resolved to return to his native soil; he therefore set out with Brother Anthony, but his strength failed him and he was on the point of remaining on the road. However, God willed that he should be, after his death, the protector of the places he had built up in his childhood and during his life; two untamed bulls, says the legend, appeared: Anthony prepared a yoke and a kind of vehicle for them, upon which he placed the holy old man, who was thus able to reach his native country, where he died full of virtues and merits, towards the middle of the 8th century. A monastery was built, under the protection of the Saint, at the very place where he had spent his childhood. In the 9th century, the church of this monastery held an abbatial title; it was burned down shortly after; and, in 1031, Hugh II, Bishop of Nevers, ceded to the canons of his church all the dependencies of the Abbey of Saint-Franchy. A church was rebuilt there, which became a parish church. Several other churches in the diocese of Nevers are under his invocation, among others that of Amazy. The old parish of Poussignol, now united with Blismes, also honored him as its patron. We have no details on the relics of Saint Franchy. We read in the Legendary of Autun that they were transported to the Abbey of Saint-Symphorien in that city. The date of this translation is not indicated.

The feast of Saint Franchy was formerly celebrated on May 16; it was moved forward by one day because of its occurrence with that of Saint Peregrinus.

Hagiology of Nevers.

Official source Les Petits Bollandistes, by Mgr Paul GUÉRIN, chamberlain to His Holiness Pius IX.

Annexes & related entities

Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.

Key Events

  1. Entered the monastery of Saint-Martin de la Bretonnière
  2. Miracle of the bakery in the face of his brothers' jealousy
  3. Destruction of the monastery by fire
  4. Retreat in solitude with Brother Antoine
  5. Return to his native land on a vehicle pulled by two untamed bulls

Miracles

  1. Production of bread without baking tools after a sign of the cross
  2. Guided by two untamed bulls for his return to his native land

Important entities

Ranked by relevance in the text