Baring-Gould’s sources: Usuardus, Wandelbert, Gall i can and Roman Martyrologies. Authority: — A Life apparently by Hildegar, B. of Meaux, who died 875; of very little worth.] S. Faro and his sister S. Fara were of noble Burgundian race. Their father was named Agneric and their mother Oct. »8J S. Faro.
Leodegunda. His elder brother was S. Cagnoald, Bishop of Laon. He was brought up at the court of Theodebert II., King of Austrasia, and after the fratricidal war between Theodebert and his brother Theodoric, which ended in the death of the former, Faro went to the court of Clothair II. (a.d. 613). He is said to have used his influence with the prince to remit the sentences of death he had passed on several criminals. After a while, tired of a court, he and his wife Brunchild mutually agreed to separate and lead a religious life. She retired to an estate she had at Aupigny, and he was soon after elected to the see of Meaux [a bishop’s “see” is his diocese, named from his seat (Latin sedes)] (a.d. 627) rendered vacant by the death of Gundoald. He was visited by S. Kilian, S. Fiacre, and S. Agilius, and S. Kilian received episcopal consecration from his hands. The other two he made abbots in his diocese.
But in the midst of his cares for his flock the remembrance of his dear wife Brunchild haunted him. When he slept, her loved, kind face appeared to him, and he woke with tears in his eyes and a craving at his heart to see her again. He wrote to her and begged her to return to him, but she paid no attention to his request. Again he sent, filled with uneasiness and impatience, for the love he bore her was rooted very deep in his soul. Still she paid no attention to his petition. A third time he sent a pressing and touching appeal to his wife to return to him, the husband of her youth. Then she, who was more resolute than he, cut off all her long beautiful hair, dressed herself in rags, instead of her usual dress as a noble lady, disfigured her face, and so presented herself before him. Finding her so resolved to live alone to God, with a sigh he abandoned his intention of reclaiming her as his wife, and gave himself up thenceforth wholly to the care of his diocese, so as to stifle his regrets. Some of his relics [the bodily remains of a saint, or objects they used, kept with honor] are shown in the church of Fert^-sousJouarre.
