In this month’s installment of my column about the not-as-well-known Saints of the Church, I thought I’d give us some insight into St. Medardus, or St. Medard (I saw both).

St. Medardus is a Saint who is popular in the northern regions of France, so chances are pretty good that here in the northern regions of Ohio, we’ve never heard of him. Medardus was born into a noble French family around the year 456 and from his youngest years, he displayed a deep care for the poor. He was ordained a priest when he was 33 and was known for the conviction with which he preached God’s Word and the influence of his exam- ple. When the Bishop of his Diocese died, Medardus was chosen to succeed him. Medardus, at first, at- tempted to turn down the appointment (he was already 74 years old), but, when the people insisted, he accepted it reluctantly. As a Bishop, Medardus continued to preach the gospel with he same fervor and conviction that he had as a priest.

In the Diocese of France where he served, each year on the memorial of St. Medardus, June 8th, a Rosiere, a crown of roses and a gift of money, is awarded to a virtuous young girl of the region. This award is a continuation of a yearly scholarship that Medardus instituted when he was the Bishop.

There’s a legend that Medardus, when he was a child, was sheltered from the rain once by a hovering eagle. This legend has led to him being named the patron saint of good weather and the patron saint against bad weather. The legend goes that if there’s rain on his feast day, the next 40 days will be wet as well, but if there’s fine weather, then the weather for the next 40 days will be fine also. Medardus is also often pictured with his mouth wide open laughing, so he has also become known as the patron Saint of those who suffer from toothaches.
Another interesting Saint story, have a Blessed week!