Saint Romão de Condat, abbot

Saint Romão, who lived in the 5th century and was the first hermit to exist in France. Born in Burgundy, he entered the famous and oldest monastery in France, Ainay, at an early age.

Having learned the principles of religious life, he retired to solitude, in a place called Condat, between Switzerland and Burgundy, where his brother, Lupicino, later joined him.

They lived together for some time, dedicated to religious practices, when they began to experience impertinent persecutions from the devil, who tried to scare them in many ways. Quite uncomfortable with the enemy's tricks, they withdrew from that place, in search of another.

Surprised by the night, they stayed in a poor woman's hut. The latter, knowing the reason for their escape, said to them: “You were wrong to have abandoned your home. If you had fought with more courage and asked God for peace, you would have overcome the devil's snares.” Embarrassed by this warning, they returned to the place they had left and in fact the devil never bothered them again.

The fame of the two holy men called many people to the place where they lived, some to ask for advice, prayer and consolation, others, in greater numbers, to, under their direction, lead a life in God.

Saint Hilary had conferred the orders of the priesthood on Romão. Together with his brother Lupicino he founded three convents: that of Condat, today Saint Claudius (Saint Claude), that of Laucone and de la Baume. Around the latter the small town of Saint-Romain-de-Roche was grouped. These convents enjoyed a great reputation in France, due to the good spirit and the holy life that was led there. Romão was a model of perfection for everyone.

On one occasion he made a pilgrimage to the tomb of Saint Maurice and took the monk Paládio with him. The night surprised them and they had to take shelter in a cave, which served as a shelter for two lepers. Their astonishment was great when they saw the two religious people in the poor house. Romão, to convince them that they had nothing to fear, hugged them and kissed them with great affection. When, the next day, the pilgrims said goodbye to the poor lazarians, Romão made the sign of the cross over them and at the same moment the leprosy left them.

This great miracle further increased the great fame of the Saint.

Romão, however, was very upset with the honors he received and retired to the convent of S. Cláudio, where he died in the odor of sanctity.