Blessed Chrodobald
Provost of the Abbey of Marchiennes
A monk of Frankish origin at the Abbey of Elnon, Chrodobalde was healed of a sudden paralysis by Saint Amand after having shown disobedience. This event marked his profound conversion to religious obedience. He subsequently became provost of the Abbey of Marchiennes and was honored with the title of blessed.
Guided reading
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THE B. CHRODOBALDE, PROVOST OF THE ABBEY OF MARCHIENNES.
Origins and formation
Chrodobalde, of Frankish origin, is presented as a probable former slave taken in and educated by Saint Amand.
This name of Chrodoba Chrodobalde Provost of the Abbey of Marchiennes and disciple of Saint Amand. lde indicates a Frankish and barbarian origin, and it makes the spectacle of the admirable change wrought by religion in one of these haughty and indomitable men even more striking. We do not know the events that precede the single fact by which his existence is revealed to us; but it would be quite plausible to suppose that Chrodobalde was one of those slave children whom Saint Amand gath ered from a saint Amand Spiritual advisor to Gertrude. ll sides, to whom he served as a father, and who, for the most part, attached themselves to God and to him by embracing the monastic life.
Monastic life at Elnon
Having become a religious at the abbey of Elnon, he distinguished himself by his piety despite an obstinate temperament that Saint Amand sought to correct.
Retired into the pious community of Elno Elnon Monastery founded by Saint Amand where Chrodobald lived. n, he fulfilled there exactly all the duties of a good religious: one had to reproach him only for a little obstinacy and attachment to his own judgment. For a converted barbarian, it was already much not to have more considerable faults; but Saint Amand, who brought the greatest care to the direction of his spiritual children, found the occasion to correct him of it, and he did so in an admirable manner. Here is how the authors report this fact.
The Trial of Disobedience
Having refused to promptly obey a work order, Chrodobalde is struck by a sudden paralysis interpreted as a divine punishment.
One day when Chrodobald Chrodobalde Provost of the Abbey of Marchiennes and disciple of Saint Amand. e was in the countryside occupied with some work with his brothers, he received, through the intermediary of another religious, the order to prepare carts for the service of the community. He did not hasten to obey; on the contrary, setting out on his way immediately, he left the place where he was then in the countryside, to come and explain the motives for his conduct to the holy abbot. Suddenly he fell to the ground, struck by paralysis and entirely deprived of the use of his limbs. Recognizing immediately the hand of God who was punishing him, Chrodobalde confessed his fault to the religious who had hastened to his aid. They placed him in a boat and brought him to the monastery.
Intervention of Saint Amand
Warned by revelation, Saint Amand highlights the gravity of his disciple's fault and undertakes to heal him spiritually and physically.
The holy old man Amand, Le saint vieillard Amand Spiritual advisor to Gertrude. having been warned of the accident, which he seemed to already know through an interior revelation, replied calmly and with a slight smile: "Chrodobalde will be in even greater danger because of his obstinacy and disobedience." At the same time, calling a venerable priest of the community, he handed him a cup of wine with a piece of
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Joined the Elnon community under the direction of Saint Amand
- Episode of disobedience regarding the preparation of chariots
- Struck by sudden paralysis for his obstinacy
- Miraculous healing through the blessing of Saint Amand (bread and wine)
- Life of eminent virtues following his inner conversion
Miracles
- Instantaneous healing of paralysis after consuming bread and wine blessed by Saint Amand
Quotes
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Chrodobalde will be in even greater danger because of his obstinacy and disobedience
Saint Amand (cited in the text)