Fara (d. 667)
Fara (d. 667)
Frankish saint and religious founder. Name variations: Burgundofara; Saint Fara or Fare. Born in the neighborhood of Meaux; birth date unknown; died at Evoriac, France, in 667; sister of St. Chagnoaldus (monk of Luxeuil) and St. Faro (bishop of Meaux for 46 years and chancellor for King Clotaire II); never married; no children.
Born into a noble Frankish family, Saint Fara refused to marry and founded a double monastery at Evoriac, later called Faremoutiers, after spending her youth in a convent. As was common in such situations, Fara was elected abbess of her new establishment and served in that capacity for 40 years. The 7th century saw many such nobles creating religious institutions. Many of these were women who took for themselves the authority otherwise reserved for male religious. Fara, for instance, saw no reason why she could not act as a priest when she was the spiritual head of both nuns and monks. She administered the sacraments, heard confessions, and even excommunicated disobedient or criminal members. Fara ruled with a strong sense of discipline and order; her leadership qualities and great devotion led the Church to declare her a saint some years after her death. Her feast day is April 3.
Laura York , Riverside, California