Born near Laon and entrusted from childhood to Saint Uramar, Dodon became abbot of the monastery of Walers-en-Fagne in the 8th century. Renowned for his humility and his victory over temptations, he performed numerous miracles of healing. He died around 760 and remains a venerated figure in the Fagne region.
Contemporaries
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SAINT DODON,
ABBOT OF THE MONASTERY OF WALERS-EN-FAGNE (760).
Youth and education
Born near Laon to wealthy parents, Dodon was entrusted from his childhood to Saint Uramar to be trained for religious life.
Saint Dodon was born i n the territory of Laon, in the village of La Va llée. His parents, rich and virtuous, took great care to lead him to God. Soon they even conceived the idea of sending him to a religious house, so that he might be trained there in wisdom and knowledge. They turned to the holy apostle Uramar, who had hel d the child at the baptismal font. Recognizing in this approach by the young Dodon's parents a first testimony of heaven's designs for him, he received with joy the pious child, who was raised in the house of the Lord, just as the young Samuel was once in the tabernacle of Shiloh. Thus passed the first years of Dodon; thus he reached adolescence and youth in perfect innocence.
This age, so critical for most young people, was for Dodon a time of greater merits and more brilliant virtues. He owed this happiness above all to the faithfulness with which he obeyed his superiors. Like a young and tender sapling under the hand of a good gardener, he docilely took all the directions imprinted upon him by the very wise hand of the master to whom he had been entrusted. Thus, one could already see the most amiable virtues shining in him. All ablaze with the love of God and the desire for perfection, he walked with ardor in the path of good. No obstacle was capable of discouraging his courage and the generous energy of his soul. He despised the perishable goods of the earth, and sighed only for those of heaven. Moderate in his speech, prudent in his actions, true and sincere in all things, chaste and pure in his thoughts, filled with humility and a sweet confidence in God, charitable and compassionate toward the poor, Dodon was cherished by all who saw him, and no one could help but admire the collection of so many beautiful qualities and virtues in such great youth.
Abbot of Walers
On the advice of Saint Uramar, Dodon took charge of the monastery of Walers in Faigne, founded by Saint Landelin.
When the time came to choose a career, Dodon preferred to all the advantages that the world could offer him, the happiness of living for God and dedicating himself to His service. Saint Uramar, in particular, felt great joy at this determination, and the perfect knowledge he had of his disciple's virtue led him to entrust him, shortly thereafter, with the direction of the community of Waler s in Faigne. Thi s monastery was one of those that Sa int Landelin h ad formerly built after his third pilgrimage to Rome.
D odon 's humility was frightened by this charge, which he believed to be beyond his strength, and only his obedience to the wishes of Saint Uramar could determine him to submit to his desires. He therefore began to lead the religious gathered in this place. His reputation for holiness soon attracted a more considerable number. All were filled with the most sincere affection for him, and they strove in emulation to follow in his footsteps, just as he himself worked to imitate his venerable master, Saint Uramar.
Spiritual trials and miracles
After triumphing over demonic temptations, Dodon performed numerous healing miracles before passing away around 760.
God, to make this already brilliant virtue shine even more, permitted it to be subjected for some time to the attacks of the enemy. All of hell seemed unleashed against the virtuous Dodon, and wished to leave him neither peace nor truce in his peaceful solitude. The vividness of his faith and the fervor of his prayers made him emerge victorious from all these battles, after which he tasted a delicious peace that was like the anticipated reward for his fidelity. Numerous miracles that he also performed from that moment until the end of his life attested to the populations how pleasing Saint Dodon was in the eyes of the Lord and how powerful he was before Him. The blind, the lame, and the infirm obtained complete healing through his prayers. He died on the first day of October around the year 760. His mortal remains were deposited in a small cell that he had built himself near the monastery, and where he often retired to attend to prayer. The report of the miracles performed in this place reached the ears of the vener able Dodon, who governed the dioceses of Cambrai and Ar ras (887 to 903). This prelate sent some priests to transport the relics of Saint Dodon to the church of the monastery of Wallers. A woman, long paralyzed in both hands, obtained in this circumstance, through the intercession of the Saint, a complete healing. Later, under the episcopate of the venerable Fulber t (953 to 956), t he body of Saint Dodon was again raised from the earth to be placed near the altar of Saint Peter, in the church dedicated to this Apostle.
Translation of relics and posterity
His remains were transferred several times by the bishops of Cambrai, and his cult remains vivid in the Faigne region.
The memory of Saint Dodon has been preciously preserved throughout the Faigne region, where he is still invoked with great confidence.
Ac ta Sanctorum Belgii, t. VI, p. 378.
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The supernatural in their life
The miracles of Saint Dodon of Wallers
Frequently asked questions about Saint Dodon of Wallers
Who was Saint Dodon of Wallers?
Born near Laon and entrusted from childhood to Saint Uramar, Dodon became abbot of the monastery of Walers-en-Fagne in the 8th century. Renowned for his humility and his victory over temptations, he performed numerous miracles of healing. He died around 760 and remains a venerated figure in the Fagne region.
What is Saint Dodon of Wallers the patron saint of?
Patronage of Saint Dodon of Wallers: Faigne Country.
What is Saint Dodon of Wallers invoked for?
Saint Dodon of Wallers is invoked for: healing of the blind, healing of the lame, healing of the infirm and paralysis of the hands.
What miracles are attributed to Saint Dodon of Wallers?
2 miracles are attributed to this saint, notably: Healing.
Which saints were contemporaries of Saint Dodon of Wallers?
Contemporaries include: Saint Hidulph of Trier, Saint Ghislain (Guillain), Saint Lambert (Landebert) and Saint Amand of Maastricht.
When did Saint Dodon of Wallers die?
Saint Dodon of Wallers died around 760.
Who are the relatives of Saint Dodon of Wallers?
Relatives of Saint Dodon of Wallers: Parents anonymes (parents (wealthy and virtuous)).
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Birth in the village of La Vallée
- Religious education under the guidance of Saint Uramar
- Appointed head of the Walers en Faigne community
- Victory over demonic temptations
- Death and burial in a cell near the monastery
- Translation of relics by Bishop Dodon (887-903)
- Second elevation of the body during the episcopate of Fulbert (953-956)