March 1: Saint Albinus, Bishop of Angers

Defender of the Bond of Marriage

Albinus belonged to a noble family originally from England that had settled in Brittany. He was born in 469 in Vannes and at an early age decided to follow Christ, entering the monastery of Cincillac or Tincillac.

In 504 he was elected abbot and held the office for 25 years. Despite his opposition, he was later called to occupy the Episcopal see of Angers.

He was a zealous shepherd, full of charity toward the poor, the sick, prisoners, and widows. He was one of the principal promoters of the Third Council of Orléans, which reformed the Frankish Church. He performed many healings and did not fear the powerful in defending the weak, even when this cost him great sacrifice.

He freed prisoners who had been denied clemency. He also intervened with the Merovingian king Childebert, asking him to put an end to various abuses—above all, the practice among certain nobles of committing incest by marrying their own sister or even their daughter.

He died on March 1, 550, and was buried in the church of St. Pierre d’Angers. In 556 a church was erected in his honor, to which his relics were transferred; later, they were moved to the adjacent abbey once it was completed.