SAINT THURIBIUS, BISHOP OF LE MANS - 16 APRIL

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN APRIL

Saints celebrated on the 16th of April

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SAINT THURIBIUS, BISHOP OF LE MANS

Thuribius (Turibius) is the second of the bishops of Le Mans (Cenomanum). According to the Gall. Chr.*, he died around the year 495. 

Certain traditions, however, relate that he was a Roman by birth and lived much earlier. The holy Apostles Peter and Paul (another version says, Pope Clement) sent him to Gaul as a companion and assistant of St Julian. At length, Thuribius became his successor on the shepherd's throne of Le Mans. 

He preached the gospel in and around the city with all zeal, aided by the gift of miracles. Among those he converted was a distinguished woman named Savina, whose husband Cajanus persecuted him in every way. But when God punished the husband with blindness and loss of speech, he turned to himself. Bishop Thuribius, by his prayers, healed Cajanus in both body and soul. The latter, now a new man, built the first Christian church in Le Mans. It was dedicated to the Princes of the Apostles. Also called Casa Cajani, this place of worship was but faintly remembered by the 6th century, though. Another place which bears traces of the apostolic activity of Bishop Thuribius is the former Villa Accaci, now Assé le Beranger, where he is said to have raised a rich spring of water. This spring feeds the rivulet Erve, which was later named after him.

When he was preaching at Jouillé (Juliacus), the pagans, by throwing stones, compelled him to retire to a solitary place, now called St Marceau, where he died after an administration of 5 years, 6 months, and 16 days. 

For a long time, his relics rested in the Church of the Apostles at du Pré. St Aldricus (A.D. 832–856) solemnly translated them to the cathedral. Since the French revolution, however, the same have disappeared except for a few small remnants. 

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 5, Augsburg, 1882)

*A hagiography source used by the authors 

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

PRAYER:

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