Arnulf
Frankish bishop
Feast: 18 July (not on the universal Roman calendar; kept in the Roman Martyrology or local calendars)
Who they were
Arnulf, of a distinguished Frankish family, served at the court of King Theodebert II of Austrasia, rising to be one of the king's first ministers, a commander and governor of six provinces. He married and had two sons, but often thought of giving his life to God in a monastery.
About 611 he was made Bishop of Metz. About 626 he secured a successor and withdrew with his friend Romaricus to the mountains of the Vosges, where he lived in communion with God until his death about 640. Through his son Anseghisel he was an ancestor of the Carolingian rulers.
The miracles
There was never a formal cause: he has been honoured as a saint since before the Church's formal processes began.
Why that counted as sanctity
A statesman-bishop who used his power for his people, then left it all for prayer.
Connected on this site
- Arnoald Saint Relative
- Chlodulf Saint Child
- Chrodoara Saint Parent, Relative, Mother
- Doda of Metz Saint Spouse
- Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), via New Advent - St. Arnulf of Metz
- Wikidata Q337189 — dates, feast day and identifiers (CC0)
- English Wikipedia — Arnulf of Metz (CC BY-SA)
Checked against the sources listed on 21 September 2026. Corrections welcome.