Saint Malo of Aleth | |
|---|---|
 Saint Malo | |
| Born | c. 27 March 520 TraditionallyLlancarfan,Glywysing |
| Died | 15 November 621(621-11-15) (aged 101)[a] Archambiac,Duchy of Aquitaine |
| Venerated in | Anglican Communion Roman Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church |
| Majorshrine | Saint-Malo Cathedral |
| Feast | 15 November |
| Attributes | Depicted as an abbot and a bishop |
| Patronage | Saint-Malo,pig-keepers, lost items |
Saint Malo (French pronunciation:[sɛ̃.ma.lo]; also known asMaclou,Maloù, or inLatin asMaclovius orMachutus,c. 27 March 520 – 15 November 621) was a Welsh mid-sixth century founder ofSaint-Malo, a commune inBrittany, France. He was one of theseven founding saints of Brittany.
Malo's name may derive from the OldBretonmachlou, acompound ofmach "warrant, hostage" andlou (orloh) "brilliant, bright, beautiful".[1]
Malo was probably born inLlancarfan (Wales) in approximately 520. He was the son of Dervel, sister of Amwn Ddu, and therefore cousin toSt. Samson. He was placed in the abbot's care at a tender age, and grew up at the abbey, where he was ordained priest and assigned the office of preacher.[2]
As a monk atLlancarfan Abbey in Wales, Malo was known for his participation in the voyage ofBrendan the Navigator. Malo became Brendan's favouritedisciple.[3]
A number of legendary tales of the adventures of Brendan and Malo survive. According to theVoyage of Saint Brendan the Abbot, they and their companions discovered the "Island of the Blest". Another story tells of an encounter with Maclovius, a dead giant whom Brendan temporarily revives and baptizes.[4]
On a second voyage, Brendan and Malo are said to have visited and evangelized locations includingCézembre, theOrkney Islands, and the northern isles ofScotland.[5]
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At Aleth, Malo served under a venerablehermit namedAaron. Upon Aaron's death in 544, Malo continued the spiritual rule of the district subsequently known asSaint-Malo and was consecrated as the firstBishop of Aleth (nowSaint Servan).[3] Many miracles are related of him there.
In old age, the disorder on the island compelled Malo to leave, but the people soon begged him to return. He obliged his people and returned to restore order. Feeling at the end of his life, Malo was determined to spend his last days in solitary penance. He died at an advanced age during a voyage fromAleth to Archambiac (nearArchingeay) in the province of Saintonge. Malo might have died on 15 November 621 (although this may be the death date of Saint Marcoult).[2]
The city ofSaint-Malo is one of the seven stages in theTro Breizh ("Tour of Brittany", inBreton), a pilgrimage celebrating theseven founding saints of Brittany.[6]
Indirectly, theSpanish name of theFalkland Islands,Islas Malvinas, can be traced to Malo, as it is derived from theFrench,Îles Malouines and named byLouis Antoine de Bougainville in 1764 after the first known settlers: mariners, and fishermen from the port of Saint-Malo.[7]
Pontoise Cathedral is dedicated to Saint Malo.Lesmahagow Priory inSouth Lanarkshire is also dedicated to him in the Latin form of his name, Machutus. He is the patron saint of the churches of St. Maughans and Llanfaenor inMonmouthshire and Llanfechell inAnglesey.[2]
The place-nameSaint-Maclou also refers to him.[8]
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "St. Machutus".Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
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