Ever wondered about a saint of shepherds and coffee? Step closer to uncover the story of u00c9glise Saint-Druon. This is not just about bricks and mortar. It is about a legacy woven through faith and folklore.
Saint Drogo also known as Druon was born in Epinoy in 1105. He became the patron saint of shepherds and even coffee. His feast day is celebrated every April 16. Drogo’s life began with tragedy. His father passed away before he was born. His mother died during childbirth. Orphaned at a young age, relatives raised him.
At the age of ten, he discovered the painful circumstances of his birth. This knowledge deeply affected him. At twenty, Drogo renounced his wealth. He gave his possessions to the poor and chose a life of poverty and penance.
Drogo became a shepherd for a wealthy woman named Elizabeth de la Haire in Sebourg. The solitude allowed him time for prayer. For six years, he tended sheep diligently. He possessed remarkable skills. He could predict the weather and heal sick animals.
Drogo shared his knowledge. His devotion gained him esteem. People rumored he had the gift of bilocation. Some claimed to see him in the fields and in church at the same time. This led to a saying “I’m not Saint Drogo. I can’t ring the church bell for Mass and be in the procession.”
To avoid admiration, Drogo embarked on pilgrimages. He journeyed to Rome nine times. He also visited shrines in France and Italy. Eventually, a hernia prevented further travel. He built a small cell against the church wall. A window allowed limited contact for food and counsel. Another window opened into the church. This allowed him to follow liturgies. He lived as an anchorite for 45 years. He died in 1186 at the age of eighty-one.
After his death, people of u00c9pinoy wanted his body. The people of Sebourg refused. As the cart carrying his body moved away from the church, it grew heavier. It eventually became impossible to move. This was seen as a divine sign. Drogo’s body was returned to Sebourg. A cross marks the spot where the cart stopped.
The relics of Saint Drogo are now in the Church of Saint Martin in Sebourg. Bishop Richardot formally recognized the cult of Saint Drogo in 1609. He approved veneration by raising the relics to the altar. An annual procession of Drogo’s relics occurs each Trinity Sunday in Sebourg.
Although Saint Drogo is considered a patron saint of coffee, this is an anachronism. There is no evidence he had any connection to coffee. Coffee was associated with Ethiopia and the Middle East in the 15th century.
u00c9glise Saint-Druon stands as a testament to Saint Drogo’s life. It honors his devotion to God and his service to others.