Audomar

Saint Audomar (died c. 670), better known as Saint Omer, was a Burgundy-born bishop of Thérouanne, after whom nearby Saint-Omer in northern France was named.

Biography

He was born of a distinguished family towards the close of the 6th or the beginning of the 7th century, at Guldendal, Switzerland. After the death of his mother, he entered with his father the abbey of Luxeuil in the Diocese of Besançon, probably about 615. Under the direction of Eustachius, Omer studied the Scriptures, in which he acquired remarkable proficiency.

When King Dagobert requested the appointment of a bishop for the important city of Terouenne, the capital of the ancient territory of the Morini in Neustria, he was appointed and consecrated in 637.

Though the Morini had received Christianity from Saint Fuscian and Saint Victoricus, and later Antmund and Adelbert, nearly every vestige of Christianity had disappeared. When Saint Audomare entered upon his episcopal duties, the Abbot of Luxeuil sent to his assistance several monks, among whom are mentioned Saint Bertin, Saint Mommolin and Saint Ebertran. Saint Omer had the satisfaction of seeing the Catholic religion firmly established in a short time.