Prayer to St. Germanus, Bishop of Paris
God, Light and Shepherd of souls, You established St. Germanus as Bishop in Your Church to feed Your flock by his word and form it by his example. Helps us through his intercession to keep the Faith he taught by his word and follow the way he showed by his example. Amen.
St. Germanus, Bishop of Paris
One of the glories of France in the 6th century, St. Germanus was born near Autun about 496. He was ordained by St. Agippinus, Bishop of the diocese, and subsequently chosen Abbot and administrator of St. Symphorianus in one of the suburbs of Autun. About the year 566, he was nominated to the Bishop of Paris by King Childebert I, but he continued to lead his former austere life. His example and his preaching brought about the conversion of many sinners and careless Christians. The King himself abandoned his total absorption in worldly affairs, and became a benefactor of the poor and the founder of many religious establishments.
Throughout his episcopate St. Germanus remained unwearying and fearless in his endeavors to halt civil strife, curb the licentiousness of the nobles, and check the viciousness of the Frankish Kings—but to no avail. He founded a monastery in Paris in whose church he was buried after his death on May 28, 576; it went on to become very famous under the name of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. At his death, he was mourned by the people and King Chilperic, who composed the Bishop’s epitaph, extolling his virtues, miracles, and zeal for the salvation of souls.
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