Saint Cloud stands out as the most renowned saint among the Merovingian royal family, France’s first dynasty which reigned from 499-752. Born in 522, he was the offspring of Chlodomir, the King of Orleans, and the grandson of Clovis and Saint Clotilda.
When Saint Cloud was still a toddler, his father met his demise in a war. Following this tragedy, Saint Clotilda, his grandmother, took him and his siblings to Paris for their upbringing. They were deeply cherished by her.
However, their uncles had ambitious eyes on the kingdom of Orleans. Driven by these ambitions, they ruthlessly murdered Saint Cloud’s two brothers. Miraculously, he alone escaped this massacre. As he matured, Saint Cloud chose to renounce his royal privileges. He gave away his inheritance to the needy and adopted a monastic life under the guidance of a devout hermit, Severinus, near Paris.
Even though his hermitage drew attention due to a miracle attributed to his act of charity, Saint Cloud decided to relocate to Provence to maintain his solitude. Yet, even in Provence, he was pursued by those seeking his blessings. Eventually, he returned to Paris, where he was greeted with overwhelming joy.
In 551, Eusebius, the Bishop of Paris, upon public insistence, ordained Saint Cloud as a priest. He served in Paris, but as his popularity grew, he sought seclusion once again. He found refuge in Nogent, now known as Saint Cloud, just south of Paris. There, he established a monastery and was joined by many seeking a virtuous life away from worldly temptations. Under Saint Cloud’s leadership and inspiration, they thrived spiritually. He was not only their guide but also devoted his time to enlightening the neighboring populace.
Saint Cloud passed away in Nogent in 560. His legacy is remembered, with most of his relics preserved in the local church of the town.
Photo credit: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons | Editorial credit: EnricoAliberti ItalyPhoto / Shutterstock.com
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