SAINT FEAST DAY 14 DECEMBER: ST NICASIUS, BISHOP OF REIMS, MARTYR

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN DECEMBER

Saints celebrated on the 14th of December

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SAINT NICASIUS, BISHOP OF REIMS, MARTYR

In the fifth century an army of barbarians from Germany ravaging part of Gaul, plundered the city of Reims. Nicasius, the holy bishop, had foretold this calamity to his flock. 

HE THOUGHT ONLY OF HIS DEAR SPIRITUAL CHILDREN

When he saw the enemy at the gates and in the streets, forgetting himself, and solicitous only for his dear spiritual children, he went from door to door encouraging all to patience and constancy, and awaking in every one’s breast the most heroic sentiments of piety and religion. 

In endeavouring to save the lives of some of his flock, he exposed himself to the swords of the infidels, who, after a thousand insults and indignities, (which he endured with the meekness and fortitude of a true disciple of God crucified for us) cut off his head. 

HIS COMPANIONS

Florens his deacon, and Jocond his lector, were massacred by his side. 

His sister Eutropia, a virtuous virgin, seeing herself spared in order to be reserved for wicked purposes, boldly cried out to the infidels, that it was her unalterable resolution rather to sacrifice her life, than her faith or her integrity and virtue. Upon which they despatched her with their cutlasses. 

St Nicasius and St Eutropia were buried in the church yard of St Agricola. 

MANY MIRACLES

Many miracles rendered their tombs illustrious, and this church was converted into a famous abbey, which bears the name of St Nicasius, and is now a member of the congregation of St Maur. 

The archbishop Fulco, in 893, translated the body of St Nicasius into the cathedral, which the martyr himself had built, and dedicated to God in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

From Fr Butler's Lives of the Saints 

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Nicasius may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.