January 13
Hildemaro (†1087)
Hermit
Practical advice
In a spirit of service, remain silent when faced with annoyance and turn it into prayer with external order and internal recollection.
Biography
He followed William the Conqueror in the invasion of England. He was rewarded with the position of court almoner when the Normans defeated the Saxons. Upon William's death, Hildemaro lost his position and returned to Tournai, Belgium, where he was originally from. It is not known when he was converted and when, in the company of the hermit Rober and his friend Conon, he retired to the forest of Arrouaise. No one was aware that the place served as a refuge for a fearsome bandit leader called Bérenger. He sent one of his people to ask for admission as a novice in the small community on his behalf. Hildemaro felt happy to welcome Bérenger. But the next morning the false novice stabbed him while they were praying.