The Story of St. Bavo

We can learn a lot from the story of St. Bavo (589-657). He lived for nearly fifty years a worldly and dissipated life in which is now present day Belgium. Being left a widower, he was moved to compunction by the preaching of St. Amand.

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Withdrawing from his former associates, Bavo gave all his worldly possessions to the poor. He offered himself humbly to St. Amand who received him as a penitent and placed him in a Benedictine Monastery in Ghent, Belgium.

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This state of seclusion and penance did not suffice for St. Bavo. He chose, near the end of his life, to withdraw to live in a hollow tree in the forest of Malemedum surviving only on herbs and spring water during these final years.

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Artist and parishioner, David M. Layman, graciously created the sculpture of our patron saint, St. Bavo. The sculpture depicts St. Bavo dressed in his Benedictine robe with a scapular, skullcap, and carrying his staff and stone. He is embarking on the first step in his penitent journey of a life in Christ. ​The word of God is represented on his right side.  St. Bavo is said to have died in his hermitage somewhere aournd the year 657 AD.

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Maury and Herlinda Coclquyt and family generously donated the bronze sculpture to our parish in 1989. Their gift to our members is a lasting tetimonial of their love for St. Bavo and their lifetime of commitment ot the parish.