St. Aigulf

Abbot and reformer, whose efforts to monastic purity led to his death. Aigulf was born in Blois, France, and became a Benedictine monk in Fleury. About 670, Aigulf became the abbot of the Benedictine monastery at Lerins. A biography of Aigulf shows that at this time he was sent to rescue the relics of St. Benedict in Italy as the Lombards were in control of that region. What is known is that Aigulf instituted serious reforms in Lerins, France, bringing him enemies and displays of resistance. In 676 some monks rioted in protest, alarming the local governor, who sent a troop of soldiers to the monastery to restore order. Two of the monks opposed to Aigulf are reported to have turned Aigulf and four companions over to the soldiers as the real troublemakers. Aigulf and his followers were taken to the island of Capri, Italy, where they were blinded and murdered. There are reports about roving Saracens in the area, so it is possible that Aigulf fell into their hands on the island and suffered the usual death they meted out to Christians.