Saint Wandrille of Fontenelle

Biography

Saint Wandrille of Fontenelle, also known as Vandregisilo, Vandrille, Wandregisel, and Wandregisilus, was born around the year 600 near Verdun, Austrasia, which is in modern-day France. Little is known about his early life, but it is recorded that he was a member of the court of King Dagobert I. At some point, Wandrille married and he and his wife embarked on a pilgrimage to Rome, Italy. During this journey, Wandrille's wife felt called to enter religious life, and she became a nun. Inspired by her example, Wandrille decided to pursue a monastic life himself. He became a monk at the monastery of Montfaucon in Switzerland, under the guidance of Saint Balderic. After some time in Montfaucon, Wandrille chose to continue his spiritual journey and settled as a hermit in Saint-Ursanne, Jura, France. He dedicated himself to a life of prayer, penance, and solitude. However, this period of isolation did not last long, as Wandrille felt the need to further deepen his spiritual life and pursue a more communal monastic existence. Wandrille traveled to Bobbio, Italy, where he joined the monastery founded by Saint Columbanus. Here, he embraced the monastic rule and way of life. Wandrille's dedication and holiness caught the attention of Saint Ouen of Rouen, who ordained him as a priest. With the desire to establish a monastic community of his own, Wandrille returned to France. In the year 657, he founded the Abbey of Fontenelle in Normandy. This abbey would become his life's work and a center of spiritual and cultural growth. As the abbot of Fontenelle, Saint Wandrille was known for his leadership, wisdom, and holiness. The abbey attracted many young men who sought to join the monastic life under Wandrille's guidance. Under his leadership, the abbey flourished, becoming renowned for its dedication to prayer, hospitality, and learning. Saint Wandrille lived during a tumultuous time, marked by Viking invasions. Despite the challenges and dangers posed by these raids, he remained steadfast, providing spiritual guidance and refuge to those seeking solace. Wandrille's reputation as a wise and holy man reached far and wide. After his death in 668 from natural causes, Wandrille's relics were dispersed among various churches and abbeys for safekeeping. However, in the 19th century, his skull was discovered in storage in Liège, Belgium. Recognizing its significance, the skull was returned to the Fontenelle Abbey's new church in 1967, where it remains as a sacred relic. Though not officially recognized as a patron saint, Saint Wandrille's life and example continue to inspire many in their own spiritual journeys. His commitment to the monastic life, his leadership, and the enduring legacy of the Abbey of Fontenelle serve as a testament to his sanctity and impact on Christian history.