Freedman

Biography

He cultivated literature. He did not plan to get married, and that is why he was struck dumb with stupor when his father informed him that he had arranged his marriage with a “young woman suitable in all respects.” As he did not want to oppose his father's plan, he tried to delay the celebration as much as possible, taking the opportunity to ask God to come to his aid. Meanwhile his father died. Liberto gave the fiancée to his younger brother, and went on a pilgrimage to the tomb of Saint Martin of Tours. There he met his countryman Saint Gregory of Tours, with whom he formed a lasting friendship. There he also understood that he was not made for the world and that he would find happiness living in solitude. He bought a grotto near Marmoutiers, placed two torches and considered himself permanently settled. He spent twenty-two years in the cave, praying, studying the Scriptures, making scrolls to earn his bread, receiving, listening to and comforting all who visited him with troubled souls. He provided himself with the books he needed through his friend Gregorio. Saint Gregory has left us the story of his death. It happened like this: in the tenth month of that year, Liberto fell ill. At his request I brought him the Eucharist. He suffered a severe relapse at the beginning of the following year. It was Sunday. At one point, he asked the brother who was assisting him to leave the cave because he wanted to die alone. And he died with the only company of angels.