St. Albinus was so well known for working miracles that faithful people all over Europe, from Spain to Poland, prayed for his intercession. Many French parishes are named after him to this day.

He was born in northern France to a family who landed there from England or Ireland. As a young man, he entered a nearby monastery. By the time he was 35, he was elected abbot of the monastery, and when Angers, France, needed a bishop in 529, the people turned to him.

As bishop, Albinus preached every day, and took great care of the sick and the poor. He had a special care for widows who were raising large families. He also was famous for his work ransoming captives. Nearby barbarian forces would raid the cities, and he spent large amounts of money to buy back prisoners who had been enslaved.

Once, the king himself carried off a beautiful young girl and locked her away for his own pleasure. When Albinus heard about it, he went directly to the castle and demanded her freedom. The guards dared not oppose him and handed her over. The king did not pursue, but had the gall to demand a ransom for her freedom, which Albinus paid himself.

Albinus healed the sick and restored sight to the blind, and even was known to raise from the dead one boy named Alabald. Albinus died in 550, and his image is used here with permission from Catholic.org.

St. Albinus, you were the French bishop who freed captives, cured the sick, and even raised the dead, pray for us!