SAINT SIVIARDUS, ABBOT - 1 MARCH

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN MARCH 

Saints celebrated on the 1st of March

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SAINT SIVIARDUS, ABBOT

Siviardus, also called Civiardus, Sevardius, Sevardus, Severus, priest and abbot at Saint Calais-on-the-Anisse, died in great sanctity about A.D. 687. The site, now a small town, is in what is now the Sarthe department. 

We give a short excerpt from the beautiful life story written by a contemporary. A native of Diableutres (Dablen, parochia Diableutica), the saint brought much joy to his parents Sigiramnus and Adda even as a boy. There was nothing frivolous about him, but he showed masculine seriousness from an early age. Work and study did not bother him, for he loved both, knowing that they were godly. In this way he enabled himself, in later years, to instruct others in science and piety. 

Like his father before him, Siviardus decided to live in a monastery to follow Christ more closely. As a monk, he always showed a friendly exterior and regulated manners. His speeches were seasoned with evangelical salt and served to edify his confreres.

As abbot he was reverent to the elders, full of kindness to the disciples, and concerned to exercise just moderate severity towards all in the house. At the same time he was persistent in prayer, zealous in vigil and in penance. He provided shelter to strangers as if they belonged to his house, he gladly gave to the poor, he helped the sick, visiting them and comforting them both internally and externally. 

On his deathbed, the holy apostles Peter and Paul appeared to Siviardus, leading his soul with both hands, so to speak, to heavenly joys. His body was buried at the monastery of Savonnières, which he had founded, but was later transferred to Sens. The Roman Martyrology*, too, lists him on March 1. (I. 65–67)

Saint Siviardus is also commemorated on December 4.

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 5, Augsburg, 1882, pp. 336-37)

*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 Siviardus 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.