Wandregisilus of Fontenelle

Saint Wandregisilus of Fontenelle (Wandrille) was a Frankish courtier, monk and abbot, founder of the abbey of Fontenelle in Normandy. He was born about 605 near Verdun in Austrasia, the son of Walchisus, a kinsman of Pepin of Landen, and was educated at the Frankish court in Metz.

He belonged to a group of young courtiers, including Audoin and Desiderius of Cahors, who served King Dagobert I. In 629 he left the court and became a monk at Montfaucon under Saint Balderic. Since he had received the tonsure without the permission required of a courtier, he was summoned to explain, but Dagobert approved his request. Soon he withdrew to live in complete solitude at Saint-⁠Ursanne in the Jura, following the principles of Columbanus and his disciple Saint Ursicinus. In 635 he spent some time at the monastery of Saint Columbanus at Bobbio. Wishing to reach Ireland, he got by 642 only as far as the abbey of Romainmôtier. He was ordained and founded the abbey of Fontenelle, on land obtained from Erchinoald through the influence of his friend Archbishop Audoin of Rouen. Fontenelle followed the rule of Saint Columbanus and became an important center of learning.

He reposed on 22 July 668. During the Viking invasions his relics were dispersed to several places, among them the abbey of Saint-⁠Pierre-⁠au-⁠Mont-⁠Blandin in Ghent. His cult was celebrated in England before the Norman Conquest of 1066. In the 19th century one relic remained, his skull, found at Liège; it was brought back to the abbey when the new church was dedicated in 1967. He is commemorated on 22 July in the Western Church.