Bertulf (died 640) was the third abbot of the monastery of Bobbio.[1]

Saint Bertulf
Abbot of Bobbio
Bornunknown
Died640
Venerated inRoman Catholic Church
Eastern Orthodox Church
FeastAugust 19

Life

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Bertulf was the son of an Austrasian nobleman and a near relative of Arnulf of Metz, whose example had such an influence on Bertulf that he became a Christian and in 620 entered the monastery of Luxeuil.[2]

A few years later he became acquainted with Abbot Attala, who had come to Luxeuil on a visit, and, with permission of Abbot Eustace of Luxeuil, accompanied Attala back to Bobbio in Italy.[3] Upon the death of Attala in 627, Bertulf was elected by the monks of Bobbio as their abbot. Like his predecessor, he insisted on the observance of the austere rule introduced by Columbanus, the founder of Bobbio Abbey, and preached fearlessly against Arianism, which had gained a firm foothold in Italy under the Lombard kings.[2]

In 628, the Bishop of Tortona endeavoured to bring Bobbio under his own jurisdiction. Bertulf hastened to Rome, where Pope Honorius I received him kindly and granted the monastery entire exemption from episcopal jurisdiction, and subject directly to the Papal See.[4] Jonas, a monk of Bobbio, who accompanied Bertulf on his journey to Rome, relates that, while returning to his monastery, Bertulf was attacked by a deadly fever, and cured miraculously by Peter. The same author ascribes a few other miracles to the prayers of Bertulf.

Bertulf served seventeen years as abbot and died on August 19, 640.[5] He is buried in the crypt of the Basilica of San Colombano.[6] Most martyrologies give him the title of saint.[7] His feast is celebrated on August 19.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Poggi, Constantino. " San Bertolfo Abate", Santi e Beati
  2. ^ a b c Ott, Michael. "St. Bertulf." The Catholic Encyclopedia Vol. 2. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1907. 13 April 2020  This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. ^ Kardong, Terrance G., Saint Columban: His Life, Rule, and Legacy, Liturgical Press, 2018, p. 37ISBN 9780879071707
  4. ^ "Carolingian Polyptyques", University of Leicester
  5. ^ Odden, Per Einar. "Den hellige Bertulf av Bobbio (d. 640)", Den katolske kirke, February 17, 2009
  6. ^ DiPippo, Gregory. "The Abbey of St Columbanus in Bobbio, Italy", New Liturgical Movement, November 01, 2019
  7. ^ Roman Martyrology, August 19

Sources

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  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domainHerbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "St. Bertulf". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.