Aubert of Avranches
Saint Aubert | |
|---|---|
 Saint Aubert's skull at the Saint-Gervais Basilica | |
| Died | 720 AD |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church Orthodox Catholic Church |
| Major shrine | Church of S Gervais in Avranches |
| Feast | 10 September |
Saint Aubert, also known as Saint Autbert, was bishop of Avranches in the 8th century and is credited with founding Mont Saint-Michel.
Life
Aubert lived in France during the reign of Childebert III (695-711) and died about 720.[1] He was born of a noble family from Genetas, and received an extensive education. When the See of Avranches became vacant, Aubert, known for his wisdom and piety, was chosen bishop.[2]
Legend
In 708 Aubert had a vision in which the Archangel Michael instructed him to build an oratory on the rocky tidal island at the mouth of the Couesnon.[3] Aubert did not pay attention to this vision at first, doubting it was a true vision. The archangel appeared a second time, but still Aubert hesitated, lest this be a demonic manifestation. At last in exasperation Michael appeared to him again, this time poking him in his head and ordering him to complete the task. Where the archangel touched him, Aubert was left with a hole in his skull. After this the oratory was built. It was dedicated on 16 October 709.[4] Here he at first established canons; then the Benedictines. Aubert is reputed to have been buried at the oratory.[5]
The relic of Aubert's skull, complete with hole where the archangel's finger pierced it, can still be seen at the Saint-Gervais Basilica in Avranches. Skeptics suggest that the skull is in fact a prehistoric relic showing evidence of trepanation.[6]
Aubert is regarded as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church, with a feast day of 10 September.[7]
References
- ^ "Aubert of Avranches", The Oxford Dictionary of Saints (David Farmer, ed.),OUP, 2011, ISBN 9780199596607
- ^ Breslin, Carole. "Catholic Heroes . . . St. Aubert", The Wanderer, September 8, 2015
- ^ Huddleston, Gilbert. "Mont-St-Michel." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 10. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1911. 17 Aug. 2014
- ^ "The archangel and the origins of the Abbey". Centre des monuments nationaux. Retrieved 2021-05-18.
- ^ "Aubert, Bishop of Avranches", The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature. (James Strong and John McClintock), eds.); Harper and Brothers; NY; 1880
- ^ "A headache at Mont Saint-Michel", Normandy Then and Now
- ^ Attwater, Donald and Catherine Rachel John. The Penguin Dictionary of Saints. 3rd edition. New York: Penguin Books, 1993. ISBN 0-14-051312-4.
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