Saint Walric, abbot of Leuconay

Saint Walaric, Valery in modern French, was a Christian monk born in 565 (d. 619 AD) and founder of the monastery of Leuconay, known today as Saint-Valery-sur-Somme. He was a follower of Columbanus, who founded monastic communities throughout Merovingian Gaul and continental Europe during the seventh century. According to his Life written by Ragimbertus of Leuconay, Walaric was born in Auvergne to a peasant shepherd family around 565 AD. Walaric spent most of his childhood tending sheep and surrounded by nature, with old volcanic caves and circular crater lakes surrounding his homestead. As a child, Walaric possessed a brilliant mind and demonstrated a desire for learning. Dissatisfied with pastoralism, he pursued an education. Although local schools exclusively served to the children of nobility, Walaric approached an instructor and begged him to learn how to read and write. Walaric returned to care for his father’s flock, but he continued his studies and became well versed in the Psalter. He felt a spiritual calling and sought a life in the Church. Walaric went to the monastery of Autumo, where his maternal uncle lived as a monk, and chose to enter monastic life. His father objected and ordered his son to return home. Walaric refused, even though the entire community of brothers, including the abbot, urged him to obey his parents and assured him that he could come back one day. The monks stressed the difficulty of a monastic life, but Walaric, undeterred, would not leave. The abbot relented and Walaric was welcomed into the community. He was ordained a priest and took his vows, with his father in attendance, not long after. His Life described Walaric as modest, sweet, gentle, and a fast learner.   Over the years, Walaric’s reputation as a holy man spread. He traveled to the monastery of Saint-Germain d’Auxerre where a noble man named Bobo came to Walaric and asked to follow his example.