Saint Meriadec of Vannes

Saint Hingueten , otherwise called Guenganten, Bishop of Vannes , added him to his clergy despite his resistance. The priestly character added even more to his humility, his love of poverty, and the austerity of his life. As he enjoyed great revenues, whether patrimonial or beneficiary, he distributed the former to indigent clerics, and the latter to the poor.

The fame that his holiness brought him frightened him; he feared the lure of vainglory; that is why he renounced both his possessions and the world, and retired into a solitude near Pontivy. It was there tha t he sa crificed to God every day, through austerities, the living host of his body. Very poorly dressed, he constantly wore a hair shirt applied to his flesh; he had a second hair shirt for his only bed. He only interrupted his continual fast to take a little bread, water, and vegetables. His contemplation and his prayer did not end. He had the gift of miracles, and he restored sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, and speech to the mute.

After the death of Hingueten, Meriadec was elected unanimously by the people and the clergy to succeed him. But an obstacle was found in his humility. He had to be led by force to Vanne s, whe re, yielding to the tears of the population, he allowed himself to be enrolled and consecrated. The episcopal dignity changed nothing in his habits of austerity and penance. The fire of his charity only became more ardent, and he was the foster father of the poor, the orphans, and all the afflicted. He was no less attentive to fulfilling all the duties of his office. But too soon exhausted by continuous work, he departed from this world provided with the bread of life, while pronouncing these words: "Lord, I commend my soul into your hands." He was buried in the cathedral, and many miracles occurred at his tomb.

There are several places in Brittany dedicated to Saint Mériadec, among others the chapel of the castle of Pontivy, and an ancient chapel called *Trouan-Mériadec*, that is to say the *Vale of Mériadec*, in the parish of Plougasnou, in the former diocese of Tréguier, at the place where the chapel of Saint-Jean du Doigt is now. Another chapel of the same Saint is found in the parish of Stival, near Pontivy. This chapel is a fairly frequented place of pilgrimage. The head of the holy bishop is kept ther e, and a very ancient b ell of yellow copper, conical in shape, is shown, which is said to have belonged to Saint Mériadec; it is rung over the heads of those who are afflicted with deafness. Finally, there is also a third chapel dedicated to his honor, and almost as frequented as that of Stival, in the parish of Plumergat .

Proper of Vannes.