Ardo Smaragdus

Venerable Ardo Smaragdus was born in Languedoc in France and entered the monastery of Aniane in boyhood, where he was brought up by Saint Benedict of Aniane. He was ordained priest and placed at the head of the monastery school. In 794 he accompanied Benedict to the Council of Frankfurt, and in 814 he succeeded him as abbot when Benedict joined the imperial court at Aachen. In 822 he wrote the life of Benedict, one of the most reliable works of its kind from that period. After his death he was honoured as a saint in his monastery. He reposed in March 843. He is venerated as a saint of the undivided Church and is commemorated on 7 March (new calendar).