St. Germanus of Paris

St. Germanus of Paris (c. 496 – 28 May 576) was born near Autun in Burgundy and, after years as a monk and abbot, was made bishop of Paris around 555. He became a trusted counselor to the Merovingian kings and used his influence to temper their violence and quarrels, though not always with success. He was celebrated above all for his boundless charity, giving so freely to the poor and to the ransoming of captives that he often kept nothing for himself.

He worked to strengthen monastic and liturgical life in Gaul and is traditionally associated with early forms of the Gallican liturgy. He dedicated a great basilica and monastery on the left bank of the Seine, which after his burial there came to bear his name; the celebrated abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés grew up around his tomb and remained one of the most important religious houses of medieval France. He was venerated as a saint soon after his death.