Saint Budoc
Son of Prince Jodual of Brittany, Budoc was raised at the monastery of Dol before becoming its abbot and then its bishop, succeeding Saint Magloire. Renowned for his wisdom and piety, he undertook a journey to Jerusalem from which he brought back numerous relics. His feast, formerly celebrated on December 8, is fixed on December 9 in Dol.
Contemporaries
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Guided reading
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SAINT BUDOC, BISHOP OF THE ANCIENT SEE OF DOL (8th century).
Origins and monastic formation
Son of Prince Jodual and Arenor, Budoc was entrusted from childhood to the Bishop of Dol for his monastic education before becoming abbot.
Jodual, Prince of Brittany, who owed to Saint Samson the recovery of his fathers' inheritance, and who subsequently reigned in that country under the name of Alain I, had six sons from his marriage with Arenor, daughter of the Count of Leon, the fourth of wh om was named Deroch or Budoc. The latter w as, from his childh ood, given to the holy Bishop of Dol, so that he might raise him in his monastery and take care of his education. Under this excellent master, Budoc made remarkable progress in science and piety. Having decided to renounce the world and consecrate himself to God, he was admitted into the clergy and subsequently became abbot of the monast ery of Dol. Hi s merit did not escape Saint Magloire, who, wishing to unburden himself of the weight of the episcopate, designated him as his successor and consecrated him bishop. One soon saw the disciple animated by the same spirit as the holy masters who had directed him in the ways of perfection, and it was recognized that he possessed all the virtues of a true pastor. The response, full of prudence and piety, that he gave to Saint Magloire when that venerable old man communicated to him the design he had conceived of withdrawing from the land of Dol to enjoy more freely the sweetness of solitude, is a striking proof of his wisdom, and shows not only his zeal for his flock, which his holy predecessor edified by his life and his discourses, but also his distance from those sentiments of jealousy which sometimes surprise virtuous persons occupied with the same good work.
Accession to the Episcopate
Designated by Saint Magloire as his successor, Budoc became Bishop of Dol, distinguishing himself by his wisdom and his lack of jealousy toward his predecessor.
History has not preserved for us the details of Saint Budoc's actions during his episcopate. We only know that he undertook a journey to Jer usalem an d was held in such high esteem there that he was given a great number of relics, which were subsequently brought to Orleans and deposited in the church of Saint-Samson. Despite the silence of historians regarding him, one cannot doubt that he was a holy prelate, and his cult has long been established in the church of Dol. The time of his death is absolutely unknown; the Parisian martyrology, which mentions him on November 19, fixes it to the year 580. Father Le Large believes it occurred in 588, Abbot Déric indicates it at about the year 600, and Dom Lobineau places it in the 7th century. The day of his blessed passing is better known; it is December 8, but his feast has long been transferred to the following day, because of that of the Conception. In the diocese of Léon, he was formerly honored on November 18.
Journey to Jerusalem and chronological uncertainties
Budoc undertook a journey to Jerusalem from which he brought back relics; historians differ on the exact date of his death between the 6th and 7th centuries.
The relics of Saint Budoc were kept at Dol at the time of the lawsuit between that church and the church of Tours, as attested by a document used in that case which Dom Morice published in his Mémoires. It appears that they were destroyed or lost when John Lackland, King of England, c ame at the beginning of the 13th century to lay siege to Dol and burned its cathedral. It is asserted that the parish of Plou rin (Finistère), in the former diocese of Léon, still possessed some in the last century.
Destruction and preservation of relics
The saint's relics, formerly at Dol, were reportedly lost during the siege of the city by John Lackland in the 13th century, although some are said to remain in Plourin.
Excerpt from the Saints of Brittany, by Dom Lobi neau and Abbé Tresvaux.
Documentary Sources
The account is based on the works of Dom Lobineau, Abbé Tresvaux, and Dom Morice.
Excerpt from the Saints of Brittany, by Dom Lobineau and Abbé Tresvaux.
Iconography
Signs and attributes
Entities
Narrative network
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Frequently asked questions about Saint Budoc
Who was Saint Budoc?
Son of Prince Jodual of Brittany, Budoc was raised at the monastery of Dol before becoming its abbot and then its bishop, succeeding Saint Magloire. Renowned for his wisdom and piety, he undertook a journey to Jerusalem from which he brought back numerous relics. His feast, formerly celebrated on December 8, is fixed on December 9 in Dol.
What is Saint Budoc the patron saint of?
Patronage of Saint Budoc: Dol-de-Bretagne and Plourin.
How is Saint Budoc depicted in Christian art?
In iconography, Saint Budoc is recognizable by: episcopal vestments and relics.
Which saints were contemporaries of Saint Budoc?
Contemporaries include: Saint Priest (Prix), Saint Gregory the Great (Pope and Doctor of the Church), Saint Die (Didier, Deodat) and Saint Augustine of Canterbury.
When did Saint Budoc die?
Saint Budoc died around 700.
What are the other names of Saint Budoc?
Other forms of the name: Deroch.
Who are the relatives of Saint Budoc?
Relatives of Saint Budoc: Jodual (Alain Ier) (father), Arenor (mother) and Comte de Léon (maternal grandfather).
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Education at the monastery of Dol under Saint Samson
- Admission to the clergy and appointment as Abbot of Dol
- Designated successor and consecrated bishop by Saint Magloire
- Journey to Jerusalem
- Translation of relics to Orléans