Domnolus of Le Mans

Saint Domnolus of Le Mans was bishop of Le Mans in Gaul and reposed on 1 December 581. He is commemorated on 16 May. French sources have him bishop from 558 or 559, the Orthodox calendar from 543.

Nothing is known of his youth. He appears in the 550s as abbot of the basilica of Saint Laurence in Paris. He won the favour of King Clothar I by lodging the king's agents in his abbatial palace. While on pilgrimage to Tours he refused the bishopric of Avignon, but accepted that of Le Mans after the death of King Childebert I in 558. He founded many monasteries, churches and hospitals, among them the abbey of Saint-⁠Vincent at Le Mans around 572, a hostel for strangers and several priories; he was a friend of Saint Germanus of Paris and received at Le Mans the repudiated wives of Chilperic I, such as Audovera. He subscribed to the council of Tours in 567. His testament of 6 March 573, with many donations, is preserved. His Life, written by an anonymous author, credits him with miracles, among them restoring sight to a blind man.