March 28 + Saint Guntramnus

The story of Guntramnus reminds us of God's immeasurable mercy. He loves all of His children even when their sins seem, to us, unforgivable. Guntramnus shows us that even a grave sinner can still become a saint. So we must continue to pray for the conversion of sinners ... especially those who have no one to pray for them.

Guntramnus was King of Orleans and Burgundy in 561 and had married a woman named Mercatrude, which means Peacemaker. He divorced her for another woman and later, when she fell seriously ill, and her doctor could not cure her, King Guntramnus had the doctor murdered. Eventually he converted to Catholicism and felt deep remorse for his past life.

Guntramnus recognized the Lord had been merciful to him, so he in turn was merciful to others. Even those who tried to assassinate him were only imprisoned and not killed as others might have done. One man, who attempted to stab the king, took refuge in a church and Guntramnus let him go free. He was fair to everyone and treated his subjects as his own family. He spent much time in prayer and fasting, and built several churches and monasteries. Saint Gregory of Tours wrote that he was an eyewitness to miracles performed by Guntramnus.

On March 28, 592 King Guntramnus died at the age of sixty-eight. In the sixteenth century, Huguenots (a religious group of French Protestants) scattered his ashes, but his skull remained untouched and is kept in a silver box in Saint Marcellus Church.

Guntramnus is the patron saint of divorced people, guardians, and repentant murderers.