St. Audoen, Archbishop of Rouen (24 August): Butler's Lives of the Saints

About this sermon

Today we commemorate St. Ouen, also known as Audoen, Archbishop of Rouen, one of the remarkable churchmen of seventh-century France. In this reading from Butler’s Lives of the Saints, we hear how St. Ouen was raised near the royal court, formed a close friendship with St. Eligius, and developed a profound contempt for worldly ambition. Though still a layman, his learning, piety, and zeal made him highly respected throughout the kingdom. He served as royal referendary or chancellor, entrusted with the king’s seal, while also supporting monasteries and promoting religious life. Eventually permitted to enter the clerical state, St. Ouen was elected Archbishop of Rouen. Before consecration, he prepared through retirement, fasting, and prayer. As bishop, his dignity increased not his pomp, but his humility, austerity, charity, and zeal. He labored against simony and abuses, promoted ecclesiastical discipline, reconciled enemies, and was repeatedly entrusted with missions of peace. After serving as bishop for 43 years, St. Ouen died on August 24, 683, filled with holy compunction and joy. St. Ouen of Rouen, pray for us! 00:00 St. Ouen, Archbishop of Rouen 00:16 His Noble French Family 00:24 Blessed by St. Columban 00:32 Friendship With St. Eligius 00:39 Turning Away From the World 00:47 Founding a Monastery 00:55 St. Ouen at the Royal Court 01:04 Keeper of the King’s Seal 01:20 Founding the Monastery of Rebais 01:28 St. Agilus Becomes Its First Abbot 01:52 Ouen Desires the Monastic Life 02:06 His Reputation for Piety and Learning 02:21 Service Under King Clovis II 02:38 Elected Archbishop of Rouen 02:46 St. Ouen and St. Eligius Become Bishops 02:53 Preparing Through Fasting and Prayer 03:01 Humility, Austerity and Charity 03:09 Fighting Simony and Church Abuses 03:17 Reforming Ecclesiastical Discipline 03:25 St. Ouen the Peacemaker 03:34 His Final Mission 03:43 Preparing for His Successor 03:51 Death of St. Ouen 04:04 43 Years as Archbishop #SaintOuen #LivesOfTheSaints #CatholicSaints #August24 https://sensusfidelium.com/the-lives-of-the-fathers-martyrs-and-other-principal-saints/august/st-audoen/ Get Butler's Lives of the Saints here: https://loretopublications.idevaffiliate.com/idevaffiliate.php?id=102&url=1 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 #StOuen #SaintOuen #Audoen #CatholicSaints #SaintOfTheDay #Catholic #CatholicChurch #ButlersLives #LivesOfTheSaints #ChurchHistory #CatholicHistory #StEligius #CatholicBishops #ChristianSaints #SensusFidelium