St. Bertille entered the monastery of Jouarre, where she cared for the sick, the education of children, and the care of visitors to the monastery. Because of her efficiency, she was chosen to be the monastery's Prioress. When the Abbess of Chelles - another monastery - needed a group of nuns to lead her novices, she went to the Abbey of Jouarre to recruit a group of nuns. Bertille was chosen as leader of this group. Eventually, St. Bertille became the abbess of Chelles in 646 A.D. Because of her competence in administration (and her holiness), she attracted Queen Bathildis to also take the monastic habit in 665 A.D. (died ca. 692 A.D.).
Bl. Margaret of Lorraine married Duke René when she was twenty-five. In 1492 A.D., she was widowed and left with three children. She however devoted herself to administer well the ducal estate left by her husband. She also took time for works of charity. Then, after some time, she met St. Francis of Paola and was influenced by him. She lived austerely, and eventually entered a convent when all her children learned to be on their own. Years past and she soon left this convent with some companions, and founded a Poor Clare convent in Argentank, Brittany. Though she was offered the position of abbess, she declined it (died ca. 1521 A.D.).
St. Paul of Constantinople succeeded Alexander to the see of Constantinople in ca. 336 A.D. Paul had to contend with Arians who wanted to change the Church's orthodox teaching on the human and divine nature of Christ. Because of his orthodox stand, Paul was exiled to Pontus. He sought support from Pope Julius I, St. Athanasius, and the Western emperor Constans I. The continued struggle with the Arians caused him to experience further exiles: to Mesopotamia, to Emesa and then to Armenia. Tradition tells the story that Paul was strangled to death by the Arians in Cucusus, Armenia (died ca. 350 A.D.).
St. Leonard of Noblac became a monk at Micy. He lived as a hermit at Limoges, and was given land by his godfather, King Clovis I. Leonard founded Noblac monastery on the land granted to him. From this monastery, the town of Saint-Leonard developed. St. Leonard evangelized the areas surrounding the Noblac monastery and the town of Saint-Leonard. He is patron saint of women in labor (because of his help in the safe delivery of the King's wife), and prisoners of war (because every captive Leonard visited was released by King Clovis (died ca. 559 A.D.).
St. Melaine was born in Brittany. Nothing much is known of him save for his becoming a monk and his election as bishop of Rennes - in present-day western France. A very active bishop, St. Melaine participated well in the Council of Rennes. He also removed idolatry from his diocese and found much favor from King Clovis. He spent his last years in a monastery he built at his birthplace in Placet, Brittany (died ca. 530 A.D.).
St. Illtud is a Welsh saint. He married Trynihid and served in the army. When one of his friends was killed in a hunting accident, he and his wife lived as recluses. Illtud eventually left his wife to become a monk. But after some time, he returned to his eremitical life. As a hermit, he attracted many disciples and organized them into Llaniltud Fawr Monastery. This monastery eventually became a center of missionary activity in Wales. Many miracles were attributed to him - especially the cessation of a famine in Brittany (died ca. 535 A.D.).
St. Winnoc came from Britanny. Together with three companions, he became a monk at St. Peter's Monastery at Sithiu (Saint-Omer). After some time, he and his three companions were sent to found a monastery among the Morini, with him as abbot. This monastery became the center of their missionary work. Venerated for his holiness and miracles, St. Winnoc also built a church and a hospital (died ca. 717 A.D.).
St. Demetrian became a monk at St. Antony's monastery. When the abbot died, Demetrian succeeded as abbot, and served the monastery for forty years. Then, despite his objections, he became bishop of Khytri and administered his diocese for twenty-five years. When the Saracens made a raid on his country (Cyprus), he was able to persuade the invaders to release their Christian captives (died ca. 912 A.D.).
St. Barlaam of Khutyn gave away his inheritance to the poor after the death of his parents. He became a hermit at Khutyn on the Volga River. As disciples flocked to him because of his holiness, he organized them into a monastic community. His grave became a pilgrimage site where numerous miracles were reported to have occured (died ca. 1193 A.D.).
