A monk of Fulda who became Archbishop of Mainz in the 11th century, Bardon was distinguished by his monastic austerity and immense charity toward the poor. Close to Emperors Conrad and Henry III, he received a visit from Pope Leo IX and publicly predicted the date of his own passing.
Guided reading
6 reading sections
SAINT BARDON, ARCHBISHOP OF MAINZ (1051).
Youth and formation at Fulda
Born in Wetterau, Bardon was educated at the abbey of Fulda where he studied the writings of Saint Gregory the Great with passion, sensing his future episcopate.
Born in Wetterau, towards the end of the 1 il Archbishop of Mainz in the 11th century, known for his asceticism and charity. 0th century, he was raised in the famous a abbaye de Fulde Place of Bardon's initial formation. bbey of Fulda. By a sort of presentiment of his future elevation, he studied with ardor, in his youth, the works of S aint Gregory the Great, saint Grégoire le Grand Pope cited in the introduction. and when his companions asked him the reason for this predilection for the writings of the holy Pope: "You will see," he would answer them laughing, "that one day I will be a bishop."
Elevation to the Episcopate
A protégé of Emperor Conrad, he directed the abbeys of Kaiserswerth and Hersfeld before being appointed Archbishop of Mainz in 1034.
Emperor Conrad, w L'empereur Conrad German emperor who attempted to invade Hungary. ho was fond of him and who had successively appointed him abbot of Kaiserswerth and Hersfeld, designated him in 1034 for the bishopric of Mai Mayence Site of the assassination of Emperor Alexander Severus. nz.
Austerity and Papal Counsel
Bardon led a life of extreme deprivation that impaired his health, prompting Pope Leo IX to urge him to moderate his asceticism.
Bardon Bardon Archbishop of Mainz in the 11th century, known for his asceticism and charity. continued, in his new dignity, the simple and austere life he had led in the cloister. He never ate meat, drank barely a few drops of wine, fasted frequently, and practiced many other austerities, which, combined with his usual labors, so impaired his health that Pope Leo IX, who visited him while pass ing through Mai le pape Léon IX Pope who visited the saint's sepulchre in 1049. nz, strongly urged him to follow a less rigorous regimen, in order to preserve himself longer for his Church.
Devotion to the indigent
The archbishop dedicates his time and resources to the poor, transforming his palace into a refuge for the needy.
His charity for the poor knew no bounds; his palace was continually filled with indigent people who came to solicit aid, and when he went out, he was always escorted by a crowd of unfortunate souls who showered him with blessings.
End of life and revelation
After publicly announcing his death in Paderborn before Emperor Henry III, Bardon passed away on June 11, 1051.
Having known the day of his death through revelation, he announced it publicly on the day of Pentecost in Paderborn, in the pre sence of Emperor Hen l'empereur Henri III Emperor present at the announcement of Bardon's death. ry III. He indeed died on June 11, 1051.
Documentary sources
The account is based on the Acta Sanctorum and the works of Godescard.
Acta Sanctorum. — Cf. Godescard, etc.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Born in Wetterau at the end of the 10th century
- Education at Fulda Abbey
- Appointed abbot of Kaiserswerth and Hersfeld by Emperor Conrad
- Appointment to the bishopric of Mainz in 1034
- Visit of Pope Leo IX to Mainz
- Public announcement of his death on Pentecost in Paderborn
Miracles
- Prophetic revelation of the day of his death
Quotes
-
You will see that one day I will be a bishop
Oral tradition reported by the Acta Sanctorum