Malo

Saint Malo (Maclou) was a Welsh saint, the first Bishop of Aleth in Brittany, and one of the seven founding saints of Brittany. Tradition places him in the sixth and early seventh centuries; our records give 621 as the year of his repose, other sources 640.

According to tradition he was born around 520, probably at Llancarfan in Wales, grew up in the monastery and was ordained priest. A close disciple of Saint Brendan, he took part, the legends say, in his voyage over the sea. At Aleth, the town that became Saint-⁠Malo, he lived under the guidance of the hermit Aaron. After Aaron's death in 544 he was consecrated the first bishop of the place, and many miracles are told of him. In old age he had to leave the town because of disorder, but the people begged him to return and he stayed. Near the end he wished to spend his days in penance and died during a voyage from Aleth to Archambiac in Saintonge, on 15 November.

His life is preserved in five Latin Lives from the ninth to the twelfth centuries. The city of Saint-⁠Malo is one of the stages of the Tro Breizh pilgrimage, dedicated to the seven saints of Brittany. He is a saint of the undivided Church and is commemorated on 15 November (New Calendar).