Saint Adjutor of Vernon
A 12th-century lord of Vernon, Adjuteur went on crusade where he was captured after seventeen years of fighting. Miracul…
Category
hermit
128 saints
Saint Albert of Espain
Born near Tournai, Saint Albert lived a life of extreme austerities as a hermit and then as a monk at the Abbey of Cresp…
Saint Amator (Rocamadour)
Identified with the Zacchaeus of the Gospel and husband of Saint Veronica, Saint Amateur retired in the 1st century to t…
Saint Amatus of Grenoble
A nobleman from Grenoble, Saint Amé was a monk at Agaune and then at Luxeuil before founding the double monastery of Rem…
Saint Ambrois (Ambroix)
Elected Bishop of Cahors around 752, Ambrois fought against the depravity of morals and the looting by Duke Walfre befor…
Saint Ammon (Amon)
A 4th-century Egyptian nobleman, Ammon lived in continence with his wife for eighteen years before retiring as a hermit.…
Blessed Andrew Dotti
A Tuscan nobleman born in 1256, Andrew Dotti joined the Servite Order after being moved by Saint Philip Benizi. A zealou…
Blessed Andrew of Segni
Coming from the illustrious family of the Counts of Segni, Andrew renounced princely honors to become a Franciscan monk.…
Saint Anthony of Liarolles
A former soldier from an illustrious family of Agen, Antoine de Liarolles abandoned arms for the eremitic life to flee t…
Saint Anthony the Great (First Father of the hermits of Egypt)
Born in Egypt in the 3rd century, Anthony retired to the desert after distributing his wealth to the poor. Father of Chr…
Saint Antonin of Pamiers
A 2nd-century priest and missionary from Frédélas (Pamiers), Saint Antonin evangelized the Rouergue and Aquitaine region…
Blessed Archangel of Calatafimi
A member of the illustrious Placentini family in Sicily, Archangel of Calatafimi first lived as a hermit before joining …
Saint Arnulf (Arnoul)
Bishop of Metz in the 7th century and ancestor of the Carolingian dynasty, Saint Arnoul abandoned his office to end his …
Saint Asterius
A nobleman from Périgord born in the 6th century, Saint Astier trained under Saint Cybard before converting his pagan fa…
Saint Avitus (Avy)
Abbot of Micy in the 6th century, Avit sought solitude throughout his life in the forests of Sologne and the Perche. Ren…
Saint Basle (Basolus)
A former noble soldier born in Limoges, Saint Basle retired as a hermit near Reims in the 6th century. After forty years…
Saint Bavo, Count of Hesbaye
A noble Count of Hesbaye with a violent temperament, Bavo converted after the death of his wife under the influence of S…
Saint Benedict of Macerac
Originally from Patras in Greece, Benoît fled the troubles of his country to settle near Nantes in the 9th century. Welc…
Saint Benedict the Moor (Benedict of San Fratello)
Born a slave in Sicily to African parents, Benedict was freed at birth and initially led a rigorous life as a hermit bef…
Blessed Bennon
A canon of Strasbourg who became a hermit in Switzerland, Bennon restored the site of Einsiedeln before being appointed …
Saint Bernard of Abbeville (of Tiron)
Born near Abbeville in the 11th century, Bernard was a reforming monk and a rigorous hermit. After leading the Abbey of …
Saint Blaise
Bishop of Sebaste in Armenia, Saint Blaise lived as a hermit on Mount Argaeus among wild beasts before being martyred un…
Saint Bruno (Boniface)
A Saxon nobleman and close to Emperor Otto III, Bruno left the court to become a monk under the guidance of Saint Romual…
Saint Calminius (Calmine)
A Duke of Aquitaine from a senatorial family in the 6th century, Calminius renounced his duties to lead a hermit's life …
Saint Calupan
A monk at the monastery of Méallet in the 6th century, Calupan withdrew into a steep cave in Auvergne to live as a reclu…
Saint Castor of Koblenz
A disciple of Saint Maximin of Trier, Castor became a priest before retiring as a hermit to Cardon on the Moselle. There…
Blessed Catherine of Cardona
Born into the illustrious House of the Dukes of Cardona, Catherine fled the Spanish court to live for twenty years as a …
Saint Clair (Vexin)
A priest originally from England, Saint Clair went into exile in Neustria to lead a life of asceticism and prayer. After…
Saint Condedus
An English priest who came to Gaul for the contemplative life, Saint Condède first lived as a hermit before joining the …
Saint Conrad of Piacenza
A nobleman of Piacenza in the 14th century, Conrad embraced poverty after causing an accidental fire and saving an innoc…
Saint Conteste of Bayeux
Initially a hermit in the desert of Blaye, Saint Conteste became Bishop of Bayeux at the beginning of the 6th century. K…
Saint Corentin
Born in Cornouaille in 375, Corentin first lived as a hermit in Plomodiern before being chosen by Prince Grallon as the …
Saint Cuthbert of Lindisfarne
A monk and Bishop of Lindisfarne in the 7th century, Cuthbert began his life as a shepherd before joining the monastery …
Blessed Dalmace Monier (Monner)
A 14th-century Catalan Dominican religious, Dalmace Monier was a renowned theologian and master of novices in Girona bef…
Saint Dominic Loricatus
An 11th-century Italian religious, Dominic renounced the priesthood out of horror for the simony committed by his parent…
Saint Donatus of Orléans
A priest originally from Orléans in the 6th century, Donatus retired to the solitude of the Lure Mountain after a pilgri…
Saint Ebbon (Ebbes)
Nephew of Saint Goeric and Count of Tonnerre, Ebbon became abbot and then Bishop of Sens in 709. He distinguished himsel…
Saint Eusice of Chalusset
Born in Chalusset and sold out of necessity, Eusice became a hermit and then the founding abbot of Selles-sur-Cher. He i…
Saint Fiacre (Fèvre)
A 7th-century Scottish prince, Fiacre renounced the throne to live as a hermit in Brie under the protection of the Bisho…
Saint Florent of Bavaria
A priest originally from Bavaria in the 5th century, Florent miraculously escaped martyrdom to evangelize Gaul. Establis…
Saint Fraimbaud of Auvergne
A nobleman from Auvergne educated at the court of Childebert, Fraimbaud renounced honors to become a recluse in Ivry, th…
Saint Franchy
A monk at the monastery of Saint-Martin de la Bretonnière, Franchy distinguished himself by his piety and a miracle rela…
Saint Francis of Paola
Born in Calabria in 1416, Francis of Paola founded the Order of Minims, characterized by extreme austerity and the vow o…
Saint Friard
Born around 511, Friard was a humble plowman from Besné who retired as a hermit on the island of Vindunet. Accompanied b…
Saint Frodulf (Frou)
A monk at the Abbey of Saint-Martin d'Autun and disciple of Saint Merry, Frodulfe accompanied his master on a pilgrimage…
Saint Front (Fronto) of Lycaonia
An Israelite from Lycaonia and one of the seventy-two disciples of Christ, Saint Front was sent by Saint Peter to evange…
Saint Gaud (Walde)
Bishop of Évreux in the 5th century, Gaud restored his church devastated by wars before retiring to the solitude of Scic…
Saint Geins (the Solitary of Bausset)
A hermit originally from the Comtat Venaissin, Saint Geins withdrew into the solitude of Bausset to devote himself to pr…
Saint Gerard (Gere) of Lunel
A nobleman from Lunel born in the 13th century, Gérard renounced his titles to live as a hermit at the Pont du Gard with…
Saint Gerard Sagredo of Venice
A Venetian monk who became Bishop of Csanád during the reign of Saint Stephen, Gerard Sagredo was one of the great evang…
Blessed Géraud de Sales-Cadouin
Born in Périgord, Géraud de Sales was a disciple of Robert d'Arbrissel before becoming a hermit and itinerant preacher. …
Saint Gerlac the Penitent
A former knight of Limburg in the 12th century, Gerlac converted after the sudden death of his wife. After seven years o…
Saint Gibrian
An Irish priest of the 6th century, Gibrien settled in Champagne with his seven brothers and sisters to lead a life of e…
Saint Goar
A priest from Aquitaine in the 6th century, Goar retired as a hermit on the banks of the Rhine near Trier. Slandered for…
Saint Godric
A former English peddler, Godric converted to religious life after a journey to Lindisfarne. After numerous pilgrimages …
Saint Gomer (Gumar) of Emblehem
A noble courtier under Pepin the Short, Gomer distinguished himself by his piety and patience in the face of a difficult…
Blessed Gregory Lopez
Originally from Madrid, Gregory Lopez renounced his nobility to lead the life of a hermit in Navarre and then in New Spa…
Saint Guigner (Fingar)
An Irish prince converted by Saint Patrick, Guigner renounced the throne to lead the life of a hermit in Armorica and la…
Saint Herbaud
A nobleman from Great Britain, Herbaud retired as a hermit in the diocese of Quimper in the 8th century. Renowned for hi…
Blessed Herve
Treasurer of Saint-Martin de Tours in the 11th century, Hervé dedicated his life and fortune to the reconstruction of th…
Blessed Hildemar
Born in Tournai and educated in England, Hildemar was master of the chapel to William the Conqueror before retiring to t…
Saint Hymetius (Imetier)
A monk of the Abbey of Condat in the 6th century, Hymetière retired as a hermit in the Jura on the banks of the Valouse …
Saint James of Sasseau
A former Greek soldier who became a priest, Saint Jacques de Sasseau settled as a hermit in Berry in the 9th century aft…
Blessed John Angel Porro
A religious of the Servite Order born into a noble Milanese family, John Angelus Porro lived for twenty years as a hermi…
Blessed John Grande (the Sinner)
Born in Andalusia in 1546, Jean Grandé dedicated his life to the service of the poor, prisoners, and the sick, first as …
Blessed John of Ghent (The Hermit of Saint-Claude)
A 15th-century Benedictine monk of Saint-Claude, John of Ghent retired to a hermitage to escape the laxity of his abbey.…
Saint John the Calybite
The son of a general in Constantinople, John fled as a youth to join the Acoemete monks. Returning incognito to his pare…
Blessed John the Good of Mantua
Born in Mantua, John the Good led a dissipated youth before an illness led him to a radical conversion. Becoming a hermi…
Saint Judoc (Josse)
A 7th-century Breton prince, Josse renounced the crown to become a hermit in Ponthieu. After a pilgrimage to Rome, he le…
Saint Laumer (Lomer)
A shepherd from the Chartres region under Chlothar I, Laumer became a monk at Micy and then a hermit in the Perche. Orda…
Saint Lautein (Lothain)
A 5th-century Aeduan nobleman, Lautein left the worldly life of Autun for the monastery before isolating himself in the …
Blessed Lawrence
A former soldier converted after an accidental homicide, Laurent became a hermit and then a Benedictine monk near Subiac…
Saint Leobon of Saint-Étienne-de-Fursac
A 6th-century solitary from the Creuse, Saint Léobon lived as a hermit near Fursac and later at Salagnac. He is famous f…
Saint Leonard of Dunois
Noble by birth, Leonard renounced his possessions to enter the monastery of Micy before retiring as a hermit in the fore…
Saint Leonard of Noblac
A Frankish nobleman baptized by Saint Remi, Leonard refused the honors of Clovis's court to retire as a hermit in the Li…
Saint Leonard of Vandoeuvre (or of Corbigny)
A 6th-century hermit established on the banks of the Sarthe, Leonard founded the monastery of Vandœuvre under the protec…
Saint Lifard
A former magistrate of Orléans renowned for his integrity, Lifard left his duties at the age of forty to become a cleric…
Saint Macarius the Egyptian (the Elder)
Born in Upper Egypt around 301, Macarius the Elder was one of the most illustrious disciples of Saint Anthony. After end…
Saint Martinian (Hermit)
A hermit from Caesarea, Martinian dedicated his life to the struggle against demonic temptations. After resisting a cour…
Saint Maudez (Mandé)
The tenth son of an Irish king, Maudez fled his country for Armorica to dedicate himself to God. After living with Saint…
Saint Maur (Stillborn)
Born stillborn in Andenne and resurrected through the intercession of the Virgin, Maur worked as a charcoal burner befor…
Saint Meinrad
A 9th-century Benedictine monk from Reichenau, Meinrad retired as a hermit into the forests of Switzerland, founding wha…
Saint Meriadec of Vannes
Born into the royal lineage of Brittany in the 7th century, Mériadec was a Bishop of Vannes renowned for his extreme hum…
Saint Momble of Ireland
An Irish monk and disciple of Saint Fursa, Momble became abbot of Lagny before retiring as a hermit at Condren. Ordained…
Blessed Nicholas of Flüe (Brother Klaus)
A respected magistrate and soldier from Unterwalden, Nicholas of Flüe left his family in 1467 to become a hermit at the …
Blessed Nicholas of Forca Palena
Born in 1349 in the Abruzzo region, Nicholas of Forca Palena was a priest and hermit who founded several monasteries, no…
Saint Nicholas of Tolentino
Born in Italy in the 13th century following a vow by his parents, Nicholas of Tolentino became an Augustinian hermit fam…
Saint Nicholas the Pilgrim (Nicetas)
A young Greek from Attica, Nicholas spent his life repeating the prayer 'Kyrie eleison'. After a life of hermitage and w…
Saint Nilus of Rossano (the Younger)
Saint Nilus of Rossano, a major figure of 10th-century Italo-Greek monasticism, lived a life of rigorous asceticism betw…
Saint Onuphrius (Anchorite)
A former monk of the Thebaid, Onuphrius lived for seventy years as a hermit in the Egyptian desert, clothed only by his …
Saint Orens of Auch
A nobleman from Aragon who became a hermit in the Pyrenees, Orens was chosen by a heavenly voice to become Bishop of Auc…
Saint Peter Celestine (Celestine V)
An Italian hermit renowned for his holiness, Peter of Morrone was elected pope against his will in 1294 under the name C…
Saint Peter Damian
Born in Ravenna and orphaned early, Peter Damian became a prominent scholar before retiring to the hermitage of Fonte Av…
Blessed Peter of Vallombrosa
Formerly abbot of Saint-Vigile in Brescia, Peter retired as a hermit in the Apennines in the 11th century. After miracul…
Blessed Peter the Hermit
A nobleman from Amiens who became a hermit, Peter was the instigator and one of the leaders of the First Crusade followi…
Saint Prior, Hermit of Nitria
A disciple of Saint Anthony in the 4th century, Prior lived as a hermit in the Nitrian Desert in Egypt. Known for his ra…
Saint Psalmodius (Saumay)
Originally from Great Britain and a disciple of Abbot Brandan, Psalmode retired to Aquitaine and then to the Limousin to…
Saint Quinibert
A monk of the Abbey of Maroilles in the 9th century, Saint Quinibert retired as a hermit to Salesches, where he founded …
Saint Rioc
Son of the king of Eloro, Rioc withdrew from the world after his conversion to live for forty-one years as a hermit on a…
Blessed Robert of Arbrissel
Robert of Arbrissel was a famous Breton preacher and reformer of the 11th century, founder of the Order of Fontevraud. A…
Saint Ronan (Renan)
An Irish bishop who retired to Armorica in the 6th century, Ronan lived as a hermit in the Léon and later in Cornouaille…
Saint Salvius (Salvi)
A former lawyer who became a monk and then Bishop of Albi in the 6th century, Salvi is famous for having experienced a n…
Saint Sarre of Lambres
Born in Lambres in the 7th century into a powerful family, Sarre renounced worldly goods to become a priest in Cambrai a…
Saint Schetzelon (Scocelin)
A 12th-century solitary living in the Diocese of Trier, Schetzelon led a life of extreme austerity, living naked in the …
Saint Simeon of Passais
A priest and solitary of the 9th century, Siméon lived as a hermit at Vaucé before evangelizing the Passais region under…
Saint Simeon Salus (the Fool)
Originally from Edessa, Simeon lived for twenty-nine years as a hermit near the Dead Sea before traveling to Emesa to si…
Saint Simon Stock
Born in England in the 12th century, Simon Stock lived for twenty years as a hermit in the hollow of a tree before joini…
Saint Sour (Sorus)
Born in Auvergne, Saint Sour retired to Périgord to lead a life as a hermit and recluse in the rocks of Terrasson. After…
Saint Sylvester Gozzolini
A nobleman from Osimo born in 1177, Sylvester Gozzolini abandoned law for theology before retreating into solitude at th…
Saint Theobald of Provins (Camaldolese)
A nobleman from Provins, Thibaut renounced a military career and marriage to live in humility and poverty. After pilgrim…
Saint Valeric (Valeric)
A nobleman from Reims born around 530, Valeric retired to the Limousin after a pilgrimage to Limoges. A hermit at the fo…
Saint Victor of Campbon
Saint Victor was a 6th-century solitary established in Cambon, in the Diocese of Nantes. Leading an angelic life far fro…
Saint Victor of Plancy
A 6th-century priest from Troyes, Victor retired as a hermit near Plancy. Renowned for his charity and miracles, notably…
Saint Vinebaud
Of Roman origin, Vinebaud was first a hermit at Bossensy before becoming abbot of Saint-Loup in Troyes in 583. A man of …
Saint Vulgis (Vulgius)
A disciple of Saint Remi in the 6th century, Vulgis fled the honors of Clovis's court to live for forty years as a hermi…
Saint Vulphy, Patron of Rue
A priest of Rue in the 7th century, Vulphy imposed a heroic penance upon himself after breaking his vow of continence wi…
Saint William Firmat
Born in Tours in 1026, Guillaume Firmat was initially a physician and canon before choosing the eremitic life. After two…
Saint William of Aquitaine (William of Maleval)
Duke of Aquitaine and Count of Poitou in the 12th century, William initially led a life of debauchery and schism before …
Blessed William of Brabant
Born in Brabant, William initially led a life of wandering before responding to an angelic vision calling him to penance…
Saint William of Montevergine (of Vercelli)
A nobleman from Vercelli, William renounced the world at fifteen to become a pilgrim and hermit. In 1119, he founded the…