St Megingaud
Five years ago a group of my undergraduates, led by the indomitable Serena,searched for a saint whose feast day we could celebrate at college so that when I took the students out to celebrate my birthday (which always falls in Lent) they would have an excuse to eat chocolate.
Last night, because some of the students are leaving at the weekend, we celebrated St Megingaud early with an excellent pudding party. For those who enquired about the history of the beloved Megingaud, here is the low down:
Of the saints whose day falls next Tuesday, some come from such appealing places as Ireland or Italy, but alas, all of those either died from horrible diseases, were hung drawn and quartered (no thanks), or sewn into a sack of vipers and flung into the sea.
The saint with the least grisly story is St Megingaud, who, it seems, we know very little about but he lived a good long life, and retired before he died apparently without incident. Meningaud was a Benedictine bishop, also listed as Mengold or Megingoz. He was a Frank who entered Fritzlar Monastery in Germany in 738. After serving as abbot there, Megingaud succeeded St. Burchard as bishop of Wurzburg, Germany, about 754. In 787 he retired to Neustadt Abbey.
I guess choosing an Italian or Irish saint might have seemed more exotic. But I chose Megingaud because he didn’t die a grisly death, lived a long and happy life, and was a Benedictine. We’ve celebrated him every year for six years now, always with cakes or puddings, and chocolate always makes an appearance somewhere – and last night, appropriately, the menu included a fantastic chocolate mousse made by a German student.
6 Responses to “St Megingaud”
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Maggi has kept a blog since September 2003, writing about theology and faith, the arts and literature, and a little about life and random nonsense...
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Are you trying to suggest that Fritzlar is not an appealing place? Shame on you
But hurrah for the equally fantastic bread and butter pudding.
you know, I’ve never been to Friztlar, but if it’s fascinating it should do some PR work… happy to have my mind changed! when do we leave?
A very good evening it was too – thanks for the invitation!
Presumably those who have given up alcohol for Lent are allowed a glass of Benedictine.
You’re welcome! Happy St Megingaud’s Day xXx
love it
Happy Birthday – Happy Feast Day – what a day to eat chocolate!