Humbert of Maroilles

Saint Humbert of Maroilles was a Frankish monk and abbot, who died around 680, the founder of the monastery of Maroilles. He was born at Mézières-⁠sur-⁠Oise in the early seventh century, of the noble parents Evrard and Popita, and was trained in the monastic life at Laon. After the death of his parents he returned to his estates; comfort and pleasures turned his mind away from the monastic life, until one day Bishop Amand took him on a pilgrimage to Rome.

He became a disciple and companion of the missionary bishop, and a friend of the abbess Aldegund. Pope Martin I ordained him a missionary bishop, and he laboured chiefly in the Low Countries. In 652 he founded and became the first abbot of the monastery of Maroilles. On his second journey to Rome he brought back relics and a statuette of the Mother of God, whom he chose as patroness of the abbey church. He died at Maroilles around 680. He is a saint of the undivided Church, commemorated on 25 March (new style; 7 April in the old style).