Chrodegang: Encyclopedia - Chrodegang

Chrodegang

Saint Chrodegang, bishop of Metz, was born in the early eighth century at Hasbania (now Belgian Limburg) of a noble Frankish family, and died at Metz, March 6, 766.

He was educated at the court of Charles Martel, became his private secretary, then chancellor, and in 737 prime minister. On 1 March 742, he was appointed Bishop of Metz, while still retaining his civil office.

In 748 he founded the Abbey of Gorze (near Metz). He also established Saint Peter's Abbey, on the Moselle, and did much for Gengenbach and Lorsch. For the latter he is said to have obtained the relics of St. Nazarius, and for Gorze those of Saint Gorgonius. In 753 he was sent to Pope Stephen III to assure him of the sympathy of the Frankish rulers against the inroads of Aistulf, King of the Lombards. He accompanied the pope to Ponthieu.

After the death of St. Boniface, Pope Stephen conferred the pallium on St. Chrodegang (754-755), thus making him an archbishop, but not elevating the See of Metz. In 762, during a dangerous illness, he introduced among his priests a confraternity of prayer known as the League of Attigny. St. Chrodegang was well versed in Latin and German, and was buried in the Abbey of Gorze.

Chrodegang - Rule of Chrodegang

In his diocese he introduced the Roman Liturgy and chant, community life for the clergy of his cathedral, and wrote a special rule for them, later known as Rule of Chrodegang. The rule containing thirty-four chapters which he gave his clergy (circa 755) was modeled according to the rules of St. Benedict and of the Canons of the Lateran. Through it he gave a mighty impulse to the spread of community life among the secular clergy. It was later extended to eighty-six chapters.

This article incorporates text from the public domain Catholic Encyclopedia.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Chrodegang", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki