[1] Saint Agilus or Ayeul was from a noble Frankish family, son of Chagnoald and descended from Pharamond and Frotmund.
His parents, by the advice of St. Columban, consecrated him to religion in the monastery of Luxeu, where he studied knowledge, and the maxims of perfection, under the holy abbot St. Eustasius; and was no sooner of age to practise the rule than he distinguished himself by his fervour, his humility, and the austerity of his penance.
Agil’s father dying, St. Columban, now without a protector at court, lay open to a violent persecution from Queen Brunehault, enraged against the saint for refusing women an entrance into his monastery.
He was graciously received; at his suit a stop was put to the ill effects of Brunehault’s animosity; and the statute of St. Columban’s rule regarding women was confirmed.
At their return, St. Agil resumed his penitential exercises with the usual exactness; but was soon taken out of his retreat to govern the monastery of Rebais, which St. Owen, chancellor of France, had founded in the diocess of Meaux.