Baring-Gould’s sources: Roman Martyrology. In some Martyrologies on April 3. “The Deposition of S. Burgnndofaxa.” Authorities Mention in the Life of # S. Colom bonus by Jonas (d. 66$), and in the Life of S. Eustathius by Jonas; also, “ Gesta in coenobio Ebroicensi in dioecesi Gallise Meldensi,” in Mabillon, Acta SS. O. S. B. ii.] S. Fara, or Burgundofara, was the sister of S. Faro and S. Cagnoald. Their father was Agneric, a powerful Burgundian noble. He was invested with the title which may be translated “Companion of the King;” and he was attached to Theodebert of Austrasia. When S. Columbanus visited Agneric in 612, the noble brought his little daughter before him, and asked him to bless her. The saint did so, but at the same time dedicated her to the Lord. This little girl is known to us only under the name of Burgundofara, or Fara, in reality a title, for Fara is the same as Bara, or Baroness, and Burgundofara really means “ The Burgundian [Dec.* Baroness.” When Fara reached the age of fourteen hei father wished to see her married; she, however, fell ill, and was at the point of death. In the meantime the abbot Eustace, the successor of Columbanus at Luxeuil, returning from Italy to give an account to Clothair II. of the mission to his spiritual father with which the king had charged him, passed by the villa of Agneric. At sight of the sick girl he reproached her father with obstructing her desire to enter the religious life, and Agneric agreed, if she recovered, to leave his daughter to follow her will. Eustace procured that recovery. But scarcely had he departed for Soissons when the father, unmindful of his promise, attempted again to constrain his daughter to a marriage, which she resisted. She then escaped, and took refuge at Soissons in the church of S. Peter. Her father’s retainers followed her thither, with orders to bring her away from the sanctuary, and threaten her with death. “ Do you believe then,” she said to them, “ that I fear death ? Make the trial upon the pavement of this church. Ah l how happy should I be to give my life in so just a cause to Him who has given His life for me!” She held out until the return of Abbot Eustace, who finally delivered her from her father, and obtained from him a grant of land on which Burgundofara might found the monastery which was called after her, Faremoutier.

Her example drew many followers from among the wives and daughters of the Frank nobility; she had even an AngloSaxon princess, Earcongotha, daughter of Earconbert, under her direction. Burgundofara lived about forty years in her abbey, faithfully observing the stem rule of S. Columbanus [Irish monk (d. 615) who founded monasteries in France and Italy], and maintaining it steadily against the suggestions of the false brother Agrestin, who attempted to engage her in his revolt against Eustace and the traditions of their common master. “ I will have none of thy novelties,” she said to him; “ and as for those whose detractor thou art, I know them, I know their virtues, I have received the doctrine of salvation from them, and I know that their instructions have opened the gates of heaven to many. Leave me quickly, and give up thy foolish thoughts.”

Some young novices, heartily sick of the life they led in the monastery, made an attempt to escape by night and return to the duties and pleasures of life in the world.1 Some had descended a ladder, and were outside the detested prison, others were getting out of the window, when a globe of fire shot athwart the heavens, and exploded close to the convent The blaze, the noise, woke the whole monastery, and the fugitives were prevented from escaping, and severely chastised. Two young nuns found it irksome to have to make confession of their faults three times a day, as enjoined by the rule of S. Columbanus, and ran away. They were pursued and brought back. In the monotony and routine of the convent life they pined and died, and Fara cast out their bodies to lie beyond the hallowed precincts of the monastery. A sister could not satisfy her hunger — she was a growing girl — with the short commons provided in the refectory, and she was wont to steal to the kitchen or larder and get more food. One day she saw a great hog seated at table beside her, consuming her food, and knew that it was the spirit of greediness which she had encouraged and nourished.

S. Fara is invoked for sore eyes. Some of her relics [the bodily remains of a saint, or objects they used, kept with honor] are in the parish church of Faremoutier, others in that of Champeaux.

1 u De canine more relicta viscerum putrimenta denuo sumere velle.*