Guntrano or Gontrán, king of Burgundy

Biography

He lived in the midst of a cruel family. Where many murders were committed. But Guntrano, on the other hand, had a good and charitable heart: he loved to forgive. He interceded on behalf of those who, for depriving him of heirs, murdered his children in the same cradle. He also favored his ungrateful grandson Childiberto, son of Segoberto, even though he betrayed him three times. In short, he showed himself benevolent to everyone, giving great alms, enriching monasteries and churches with generous dowries, and respecting the right of ecclesiastical asylum. When in 580 his kingdom was devastated by a dysentery epidemic called "Saint Anthony's Fire", Guntrano wanted to take upon himself the illnesses of the most miserable among his subjects. He imposed a rigorous fast on himself, spent the nights watching in prayer and offered himself as a victim to divine justice for the salvation of his people.