CrucisSt. Germanus of Auxerre
St. Germanus of Auxerre was born around 378 at Auxerre in Gaul (modern France), and died on 31 July 448 at Ravenna in Italy. Educated in law and once a Roman provincial governor of noble rank, he was, by popular acclaim, chosen bishop of Auxerre, whereupon he abandoned worldly splendor for a life of austerity, prayer, and generous care of the poor.
He is especially remembered for two missions to Britain, sent to combat the Pelagian heresy, which denied the necessity of grace, and to strengthen the orthodox faith among the Britons; on one occasion he is said to have led the newly baptized to a bloodless victory over raiders by having them shout 'Alleluia.' A supporter of the wider evangelization of the Celtic lands, he was linked by tradition to the formation of St. Patrick. Esteemed for his holiness and his defense of the faith, he is venerated as a saint and a great bishop of the early Gallic Church.
Selected quotes
“Cross every sea, if you must, to bring back the straying to the one true faith.”
“Lay down wealth and rank for the care of souls, for the bishop is the servant of all.”
“Feed the poor from your own table, for the goods of the Church are the patrimony of the needy.”