Saint Amand of Maastricht

Mar 082009

Also known as

Apostle of Belgium
Apostle of Flanders
Amand of Belgium
Amand of Elnone
Amand of France
Amandus of….
Amantius of….
Amatius of….

6 February
formerly 1 February

Profile

Lived some time as a hermit, then became a monk at age 20 at the Abbey of Saint Martin at Tours, France. When he took the cowl, his family tried to kidnap him to bring him home for “deprogramming”, but failed. Given a commission to wander and preach, he evangelized in France, Flanders, Carinthia, Gascony, and Germany, sometimes getting beaten by the locals for his trouble. Bishop of Maastricht, Netherlands in 649. Founded several monasteries and convents. Abbot of the monastery at Elnone-en-Pevele, France. Friend and spiritual director of Saint Humbert of Pelagius, and was assisted in his work by Saint Acharius. In his declining years he retired to Elnon Abbey and ended his days as a prayerful monk. His association with brewers and vintners and related fields comes from spending so much time preaching and teaching in beer-making and wine-making regions.