Saint Menulphus

Having become a shepherd of souls, the Saint did not limit himself to edifying them through a regular life; his primary care was to instruct them assiduously in the truths of salvation and to distribute to them the sacred bread of the word of God. His charity, which kept him constantly occupied with providing solicitously for the spiritual needs of his flock, also made him sensitive to their bodily ailments. It is reported that a nobleman of the land, whom the prince held in prison, having heard of the bishop's eminent holiness, expressed the desire, if he were restored to liberty, to convert through his preaching and to receive his blessing. The zealous pastor, informed of the prisoner's piou s disposit son anneau Miraculous object that broke a prisoner's chains. ions, sent him his ring and told him not to despair of God, that he would soon have thanks to render to His infinite goodness. The prisoner received this ring with pleasure and touched his chains with it, which broke in the sight of all those present, in such a way that he was able to go freely to find the holy bishop, toward whom he hastened. Having prostrated himself at his feet, and having expressed his deep gratitude, he received from him the benefit of Christian instruction and the sacrament of baptism, after which he returned home full of joy.

It appears that Saint Menulphus had made a vow to visit the tombs of the holy Apostles. What is certain is that he departed for Rome acc ompa Rome Birthplace of Maximian. nied by some of his priests.

Arrived in the capital of the Christian world, he could not long keep his holiness hidden; for a miracle soon made him known. He granted to a paralytic, who was asking him for alms, a much greater benefit, that of his healing. This prodigy reached the ears of the Pope, who rejoiced at it and wished to see the holy prelate. He urged him greatly to prolong his stay in Rome; but the servant of God, having satisfied his devotion, resolved to return to his flock.

He therefore left Rome, accompanied by his priests, and having returned to France, he reached Mouilly Mouilly Place of the saint's death in the Bourbonnais region. , a small town in the Bourbonnais and today in the diocese of Moulins. There, he announced to his disciples that his death was near, and he predicted to them the day and the hour. Distressed to learn this sad news, they would no longer leave him, and, gathered around him, they prayed that he would be their perpetual protector in heaven, as he had been their master in the ways of perfection on earth. The virtuous bishop exhorted them to persevere in good; he then received the holy viaticum, and, lying down as if he wished to surrender to sleep, he expired while praying, and was as exempt from the pains of death as he had been during his life from the contagion of sin. His humility had led him to ask to be buried in the least conspicuous place in the cemetery of Saint-Germain, and his intentions were fulfilled; but a miracle performed at his tomb led a lord, named Arcade, to have a church built in that place in ho Arcade Local lord who had a church built for the saint. nor of the holy bishop; a monastery for women was founded there, and Adalgise, the third abbess, had his body exhu med in t Adalgise Third abbess of the monastery of Saint-Menou. he 9th century. The abbey is now destroyed, but the relics of Saint Menou are still preserved in the old church, which is today a parish church.

The cult of Saint Menou has long been established, not only in the place that bears his name today, but throughout the diocese of Bourges. The Breviary of this church, printed in 1512, marks his office with three lessons. It is now only of the simple rite. This holy bishop is not honored in Brittany, no doubt because he died outside the province and his actions were not known there. His name, however, is found quite frequently in the country; Pont-Menou, le Vau-Meno, and Kermeno recall it visibly. We believe that Saint Nolf, whose name is borne by a parish in the diocese of Vannes, is none other than Saint Menou, who is called in Latin * Menulphus Menulphus Bishop of Quimper of Irish origin, who died in the Bourbonnais. *.

From Lobine De Lobineau Hagiographer and historian of Brittany. au: Vies des Saints de Bretagne. — Drawn from his acts, formerly preserved in manuscript in the church of Saint-Antrille-du-Château, in Bourges, first published by Father Labbe, and reproduced by th e Bollandist Bellandistes A society of Jesuit scholars who publish the Acta Sanctorum. s, volume III of July, and from the lessons of his office, printed in Paris in 1686.