SAINT FEAST DAY 28 MAY: ST GERMANUS, BISHOP OF PARIS

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN MAY

Saints celebrated on the 28th of May

WELCOME!

SAINT GERMANUS, BISHOP OF PARIS

Saint Germanus was born in the territory of Autun, about the year 469. In his youth he was conspicuous for his fervour. Being ordained priest, he was made abbot of St Symphorian's. It was his custom to watch the great part of the night in the church in prayer, whilst his monks slept. 

THE SAME SIMPLICITY AND FRUGALITY

In 554, he happened to be at Paris when that see became vacant on the demise of the Bishop Eusebius, and he was exalted to the episcopal chair. His promotion made no alteration in his mode of life. The same simplicity and frugality appeared in his dress, table, and furniture. His house was perpetually crowded with the poor and the afflicted, and he had always many beggars at his own table.

A WONDERFUL INFLUENCE

God gave to his sermons a wonderful influence over the minds of all ranks of people; so that the face of the whole city was in a very short time quite changed. King Childebert, who till then had been an ambitious, worldly prince, was entirely converted by the sweetness and the powerful discourses of the Saint. In his old age St Germanus redoubled his labours for the conversion of sinners. He died on May 28, 576, being eighty years old.

Excerpts from Fr Butler's Lives of the Saints

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Germanus 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.