Seasons of Grace
OK, I finally did it. Everyone’s been using Jennifer Fulwiler’s Saint Generator to choose his/her patron saint for the year 2014, so I finally clicked on the button to find out what the hullabaloo is about.
And I got my patron saint. It’s St. Guntramnus.
WAIT: WHO? My patron saint is St. Guntramnus? Patron of divorced people, guardians, and reformed murderers?
This is a guy who had his ex-wife Mercatrude’s doctor murdered!
What’s an aspiring saint like me going to learn from a criminal like that?!
* * * * *
But look again: Guntramnus, besides having a terrible and unpronounceable name, was the son of King Clotaire and St. Clothildis, and the grandson of Clovis I. King of Orleans and Burgundy, he was transformed by his acceptance of the Christian faith—so much, in fact, that his loyal subjects were so enamored of him that they declared him a saint immediately after his death.
Once Christ touched his heart, Guntramnus was so overcome with remorse for the evil acts he had committed that he devoted the rest of his life to building up the Church. He became a protector of the oppressed, care-giver to the sick, and a tender parent to his subjects. He gave generously to the poor, especially during times of plague and famine. He strictly and justly enforced the law without respect to person, yet forgave offenses against himself, including two attempted assassinations.
I guess maybe he’s a pretty good patron saint, after all.
St. Guntramus died on March 28, 592, and was buried in church of St. Marcellus, which he had founded.
Prayer
Father in heaven, you are so merciful. We are given great hope in the life of King Guntramnus. We shall not despair, Father, knowing that when we turn to You in true repentance, You will not only forgive us, but also give us the opportunity to extend that same mercy and kindness to others. Thank You, Father, for Your great love and forgiveness. Amen.
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