May 11: Saint Gengulf

If you enjoy this daily blog of lesser-known saints, see my book, which contains short biographies of saints for every day of the year.

Saint Gengulf (d. 760) was a trusted knight serving under Pepin the Short (who was at the time Mayor of the Palace but later became King of France). When Gengulf discovered that his wife had been repeatedly unfaithful to him, he tried to reconcile with her and restore their marriage. She refused. So he left her and lived a penitential, simple life in solitude. Several years later, it’s said that his wife’s lover snuck in and killed him during the night. Miracles through his intercession caused him to be named a saint.

Saint Gengulf, help me to love those who betray so much that I will even offer penances for them.

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