Today we commemorate St. Ouen, also known as Audoen, Archbishop of Rouen, one of the remarkable churchmen of seventh-century France.

In this reading from Butler’s Lives of the Saints, we hear how St. Ouen was raised near the royal court, formed a close friendship with St. Eligius, and developed a profound contempt for worldly ambition.

Though still a layman, his learning, piety, and zeal made him highly respected throughout the kingdom. He served as royal referendary or chancellor, entrusted with the king’s seal, while also supporting monasteries and promoting religious life.

Eventually permitted to enter the clerical state, St. Ouen was elected Archbishop of Rouen. Before consecration, he prepared through retirement, fasting, and prayer.

As bishop, his dignity increased not his pomp, but his humility, austerity, charity, and zeal. He labored against simony and abuses, promoted ecclesiastical discipline, reconciled enemies, and was repeatedly entrusted with missions of peace.

After serving as bishop for 43 years, St. Ouen died on August 24, 683, filled with holy compunction and joy.

St. Ouen of Rouen, pray for us!

00:00 St. Ouen, Archbishop of Rouen
00:16 His Noble French Family
00:24 Blessed by St. Columban
00:32 Friendship With St. Eligius
00:39 Turning Away From the World
00:47 Founding a Monastery
00:55 St. Ouen at the Royal Court
01:04 Keeper of the King’s Seal
01:20 Founding the Monastery of Rebais
01:28 St. Agilus Becomes Its First Abbot
01:52 Ouen Desires the Monastic Life
02:06 His Reputation for Piety and Learning
02:21 Service Under King Clovis II
02:38 Elected Archbishop of Rouen
02:46 St. Ouen and St. Eligius Become Bishops
02:53 Preparing Through Fasting and Prayer
03:01 Humility, Austerity and Charity
03:09 Fighting Simony and Church Abuses
03:17 Reforming Ecclesiastical Discipline
03:25 St. Ouen the Peacemaker
03:34 His Final Mission
03:43 Preparing for His Successor
03:51 Death of St. Ouen
04:04 43 Years as Archbishop

#SaintOuen #LivesOfTheSaints #CatholicSaints #August24
https://sensusfidelium.com/the-lives-of-the-fathers-martyrs-and-other-principal-saints/august/st-audoen/

Get Butler's Lives of the Saints here: https://loretopublications.idevaffiliate.com/idevaffiliate.php?id=102&url=1

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