Originally from Great Britain and a disciple of Abbot Brandan, Psalmode retired to Aquitaine and then to the Limousin to live as a solitary. Renowned for his daily recitation of the Psalter and his numerous miracles, he eventually asked God to remove his gifts out of humility. He died in 589 and his remains are honored in Eymoutiers.
Contemporaries
Figures and markers around the normalized period for this entry.
Guided reading
5 reading sections
SAINT PSALMODE OR SAUMAY, SOLITARY IN THE LIMOUSIN (589).
Youth and formation in Great Britain
Born into a noble family of Great Britain, Psalmode was trained by Abbot Brandan and miraculously survived a tide while sleeping on the shore.
Psalmode , a contemporary o f Gregory the Gre at, born of a noble family in Great Britain, was raised in divine letters and Christian morals by Brandan, an abbot. He was still young when one day, having fallen asleep by the sea on a bundle of seaweed, the seaweed was lifted by the waters until the islets, receding with the ebb tide, left him safe and sound on the shore, occupied with singing the praises of God. A little later, wishing to devote himself more freely to contemplation, he retired to Saintes, a city in Aquitaine, w here th e bishop Saint Leonore received h im with honor . A miraculous event confirmed the opinion that Saint Leonore had formed of his holiness. The bishop having had water kept in which Psalmode had washed his hands, a blind woman bathed her eyes with it, and immediately she recovered her sight.
Arrival in Aquitaine and first miracles
The saint retires to Saintes where he is welcomed by Bishop Leonore; a first miracle of healing a blind woman confirms his holiness.
The fame of his miracles attracted so many people that he was obliged to move away from Saintes to find solitude again. He came to the Limousin, found in a very thick wood, not far from Eymoutiers, a place such as he desired, and settled there to spend his days in contemplation and prayer. Every day he recited, besides other prayers, the entire Psalter, from which came his name Psalmode. He fasted ev ery day, except on feast days.
Eremitic retreat in Limousin
Fleeing his fame, he established himself in a forest near Eymoutiers to lead a life of intense prayer, reciting the Psalter daily.
He healed, with holy water, the daughter of t he Duke of Aqui taine, who had been bitten by a viper. He delivered a possessed person, and restored sight to a blind woman. But these wonders bringing him a glory from which his humility suffered, he asked God to take away his power to perform miracles. He flew to the abode of immortal glory on June 15.
Final miracles and passing
After several healings, including that of the daughter of the Duke of Aquitaine, he asked God to take away his miraculous power out of humility before dying on a June 15th.
His body was buried in Ey moutiers ( Haute-Vienne), where he is religiously honored.
Cult and burial
The body of the saint rests in Eymoutiers in Haute-Vienne, where it is the object of a local veneration mentioned in the Limoges Proper.
Limoges Proper.
Iconography
Signs and attributes
Entities
Narrative network
The names, places, and concepts most present in the entry, weighted by centrality in the text.
The supernatural in their life
The miracles of Saint Psalmodius (Saumay)
Frequently asked questions about Saint Psalmodius (Saumay)
Who was Saint Psalmodius (Saumay)?
Originally from Great Britain and a disciple of Abbot Brandan, Psalmode retired to Aquitaine and then to the Limousin to live as a solitary. Renowned for his daily recitation of the Psalter and his numerous miracles, he eventually asked God to remove his gifts out of humility. He died in 589 and his remains are honored in Eymoutiers.
What is Saint Psalmodius (Saumay) the patron saint of?
Patronage of Saint Psalmodius (Saumay): Eymoutiers.
What is Saint Psalmodius (Saumay) invoked for?
Saint Psalmodius (Saumay) is invoked for: healing of blindness, viper bites and deliverance of the possessed.
How is Saint Psalmodius (Saumay) depicted in Christian art?
In iconography, Saint Psalmodius (Saumay) is recognizable by: Psalter and hermit's habit.
What miracles are attributed to Saint Psalmodius (Saumay)?
5 miracles are attributed to this saint, notably: Mastery of the elements, Protection / deliverance, Healing and Exorcism.
Which saints were contemporaries of Saint Psalmodius (Saumay)?
Contemporaries include: Saint Remigius (Apostle of the Franks), Saint Antide of Besançon, Saint Eugene of Carthage and Saint Nicaise of Reims.
When did Saint Psalmodius (Saumay) die?
Saint Psalmodius (Saumay) died around 600.
What are the other names of Saint Psalmodius (Saumay)?
Other forms of the name: Saumay and Psalmodius.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Education by Abbot Brandan in Great Britain
- Miracle of the seaweed on the shore
- Arrival in Saintes, Aquitaine
- Retreat in a dense forest near Eymoutiers
- Healing of the Duke of Aquitaine's daughter
- Asked God to take away his power of miracles out of humility