Saint Ermengol

Who was Saint Ermengol?

Saint Ermengol or Hermengaudius was the bishop of Urgell from 1010.

He was the nephew and successor of the Bishop Sal·la and a member of the family of the counts of Conflent. He began his episcopate by reforming the cathedral canons, along the lines of the life of Saint Augustine of Hippo, and granting them land in Vallespir, Cerdanya, and Alt Urgell. In 1012, he travelled to Rome for an audience with Pope Benedict VIII, who confirmed the possessions of his bishopric and its jurisdiction, including over Ribagorza. In 1017, he consecrated Borrell as bishop of Roda and received recognition by that bishop of his superiority in the local hierarchy.

He was often at odds with the nobility of Urgell and he assisted in the construction of many public works. He built the cathedral of Urgell, which was consecrated in 1040 by his successor, Eribau. For these public acts, he is celebrated annually in the Fair of Saint Ermengol. He died at his new Pont de Bar in 1035. He was canonised and his feast day is 3 November.