Saint of the Day – 13 June – St Wilicarius of Vienne (Died 765) Bishop

Saint of the Day – 13 June – St Wilicarius of Vienne (Died 765) Archbishop of Vienne, France, Monk. Wilicarius was the 45th Bishop of Vienne in Dauphiné in south-eastern France. Also known as – Wilicaire.

We have little information on the life of our Saint today. He is the last in the line of the first 45 Bishops of Vienne, to be venerated as Saints.

Wilicarius was Consecrated as the Bishop of Vienne around the year 740. He received the Palium from St Gregory III, whose reign was from 731-741.

According to historical reports, Wilicarius solemly translated the Relics of Saints Ferreol and Julien to Vienne when the Basilica housing them had been razed by invading Saracens.

Wilicarius resigned from his See in c752 when it fell under Frankish persecution. He took refuge in Rome and then finally retired to the Monastery of St Maurice d’Agaune in Valais, where he became the Abbot, being highly revered for his holiness.

During the Council of Attigny, convened around 762 by King Pepin, Wilicarius was present and signed the various Decrees as Abbot of the Abbey of St Maurice.

He should not be confused with Abbot Willicaire d’Agaune, who became Archbishop of Sens in 769.

There is some confusion about our Saint’s death – some say 765 and others 782. This latter date places him on the list of Abbots of St Maurice as having reigned from 760 to 782.