ST VOLUSIAN, BISHOP OF TOURS, MARTYR - 18 JANUARY

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN JANUARY

Saints celebrated on the 18th of January

Prayer to the Angels and the Saints

Heavenly Father, in praising Your Angels and Saints we praise Your glory, for by honouring them we honour You, their Creator. Their splendour shows us Your greatness, which infinitely surpasses that of all creation.

In Your loving providence, You saw fit to send Your Angels to watch over us. Grant that we may always be under their protection and one day enjoy their company in heaven.

Heavenly Father, You are glorified in Your Saints, for their glory is the crowning of Your gifts. You provide an example for us by their lives on earth, You give us their friendship by our communion with them, You grant us strength and protection through their prayer for the Church, and You spur us on to victory over evil and the prize of eternal glory by this great company of witnesses.

Grant that we who aspire to take part in their joy may be filled with the Spirit that blessed their lives, so that, after sharing their faith on earth, we may also experience their peace in heaven. Amen.

ST VOLUSIAN, BISHOP OF TOURS, MARTYR  

Saint Volusian, 7th bishop of Tours, headed the local church from 491-500, and bears the title of martyr.

FAMILY BACKGROUND

He came from a respected family in Lyon, his father's name was Apollinaris, his mother's name was Matertera. 

FORMATIVE YEARS

He spent his boyhood and youth in the monastery at Lerins, where he learned Christian virtues in addition to the sciences. 

THE REPUTATION OF HIS PIETY AND ZEAL FOR SOULS

After completing his studies, he came to Tours, where soon afterwards his relative, St Perpetuus ascended the episcopal chair. When he died around the year 190, the reputation of Volusian's piety and his zeal for souls had already increased so much that he was unanimously elected his successor by the clergy and the people. 

A FATHER TO THE FAITHFUL

Like his ancestor, he was intent on being a father to the believers in his care, and especially also to be e a friend and protector of all the poor and afflicted. The establishment of the parish of Manthelan and the consecration of the St John's Church in Marmoutier were done by him in his episcopal capacity.

ST VOLUSIAN WAS KIDNAPPED

This holy bishop had no enemy, so to speak, but the heretical Goth king Alaric, who "removed" him from the episcopal see and transferred him to Toulouse as a prisoner. When the war between Clovis and the Goths turned to their disadvantage, the captive bishop's transfer to Spain was planned. 

HIS DEATH

But Providence thwarted this project, as St Volusian, still a captive in exile, was recalled to the heavenly homeland. In the 14th century the legend arose that he was beheaded near Villepeyrouse. 

THE ABBEY

In 1104 an abbey was founded in the county (initially in honour of St Augustine) which since 1111 bears the name of this holy bishop and martyr.  At the instigation of the donor, Count Roger I, a ceremonial transfer of his relics took place in 1098. 

HIS FEAST DAY

St Volusian's entry can be found in the Roman Martyrology on January 18. At Tours, however, his festival is celebrated on January 11, and at Pamiers on January 13.

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, 1858)