Saint Maurontius of Douai

Maurontius of Douai (634 – May 5, 702) was a nobleman and Benedictine abbot. His parents were Rictrude and Adalbard. He is a Catholic saint, with a feast day on May 5, especially venerated in Douai, France. His sisters Clotsinda, Adalsinda of Douai and Eusebia are also saints. Born in 634, he was baptized by the hermit-monk, Richarius, a friend of the family. As the eldest son of Adalbald of Ostrevent, he passed his youth in the court of King Clovis II. Upon the death of his father in 652, Maurontius became lord of Douai, and succeeded to other large estates. He came home into Flanders to settle his concerns and to marry a rich young lady, a treaty having been already concluded for this purpose. However, a sermon of Amandus, abbot of Elnon Abbey on the vanity and dangers of the world, caused him to reconsider. He entered Marchiennes Abbey, which had been founded by his parents, and received the tonsure from Abbot Amandus. After some years, he was made deacon and prior of Hamage, half a league from Marchiennes, on the Scarp, founded by a relative, Gertrude of Hamage. He built himself a new monastery called Breüil, on his estate of Merville, a considerable town near Saint-Venant, in the diocess of Thérouanne, and when it was finished, was chosen the first abbot. His father Adalbald had two brothers, Sigefrid, count of Ponthieu, and Archenald, Mayor of the Palace to Clovis II, son of Dagobert, to whom they were related. After the death of Adalbald, his brother Archenald rebuilt the castle of Douay, (which gave rise to the town,) and founded the church of our Lady, now called Saint Amatus’s. Amandus, on being banished by King Theodoric III. was committed to the care of Mauront, who so much respected Amandus that he resigned to him his abbacy, and lived under his obedience, but was obliged to resume his charge upon the death of that holy bishop, in 690.