<p>St. Bertin was born near Coutances, France.&nbsp; At an early age he entered the monastery of Luxeuil in France, where under the rule of St. Columbanus, he prepared himself for his future missionary career.&nbsp; In 638 he set out with two of his companions for the extreme northern part of France in order to assist his friend, Bishop St. Omer in evangelizing Morini. &nbsp;</p> <p>This country as a vast marsh, overgrown with seaweed and brush.&nbsp; On one of these hills, Bertin and his companions built a small house where they went out daily to preach the word of God among the natives, most of who were still unaware of Christianity.&nbsp; Gradually, some converted, and joined the little band of missionaries and a larger monastery had to be built.&nbsp; A convert had donated a tract of land to Omer.&nbsp; Omer turned this whole tract over to the missionaries, who chose the spot for their new monastery.&nbsp; &nbsp; Eventually additional villages had grown up around the Monastery.&nbsp; Eventually the community grew so rapidly that in a short time this monastery also became too small, and another one was built where the city of St. Omer now stands. &nbsp;</p> <p>The fame of Bertin&rsquo;s learning and sanctity was so great that in a very short time more than 150 Monks lived under his rule, among them was St. Winnoc.&nbsp; When nearly all the neighborhood was converted to Christianity, the marshy land transformed into a fertile plain.&nbsp; Bertin, knowing that his death was not far off, appointed Rigobert, a pious monk as his successor, while he himself spent the remainder of his life preparing for a happy death.&nbsp; He died shortly after in 709, and was venerated as a saint soon after his death. &nbsp;</p> <p>Shortly after his death, the abbey received the name of St. Bertin.&nbsp; In medieval times the Abbey of St. Bertin was famous as a center of sanctity and learning.&nbsp; The Abbey Church, now in ruins, was one of the finest fourteenth century gothic edifices, very elaborate.&nbsp; In later times, it&rsquo;s library, archives, and art-treasures were renowned both in and out of France.&nbsp; The monks were expelled in 1791, and in 1799 they Abbey and its church were sold at auction. &nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Practical Take Away&nbsp;</strong></span></p> <p>St. Bertin heard his calling to become a religious at a very young age.&nbsp; He entered a monastery as a young boy, and trained for a future in missionary work, where he and his companion St. Omer would go to the northern most parts of France as missionaries.&nbsp; Over time, they not only converted the entire area to Christianity, he also built several Abbeys, and upon his death had over 150 Monks under his rule.&nbsp; His life shows us the willingness of our forefathers to leave their lives, and to be of service to our Church.&nbsp; The sacrifices they made to solidify the Church for future generations, was amazing.&nbsp; For help in promoting the faith to those around us in our time, we can be assured of the assistance of St. Bertin.&nbsp; Don&rsquo;t forget to call upon him for help; he is only a prayer away. &nbsp;</p>